Comparative Nutrition and Digestion - Report Example

Comparative Nutrition and Digestion Name: Course: Tutor: Institution: City and State: Date: Physiology Cats and dogs have various similarities as well as differences in their physiology and dietary requirements. Both animals are carnivores but cats are obligate carnivores (Cochran 2004 p. 121). The dog has a longer small intestine, which is the only difference between the digestive tracts of these animals. The number of teeth marks the other major difference between them since dogs have a higher number of molars and premolars despite having similar number of canines and incisors with the cat (Reece 2013 p.211). Hunting food differs for the animals since dogs hunt in packs while cats hunt in solitude. In terms of diet consumption, dogs eat large and few meals and can consume all their energy requirements in one serving (Amitrano & Tortora 2012 p.97). Cats on the other hand consume smaller and frequent meals and drink less water than dogs (Reece 2013 p.71). Cats prefer wet food while dogs opt for dry food devoid of any moisture. Cats have no carbohydrate requirement but both animals have high protein requirement. Competitive Advantage Oral tolerance is an adaptation of animals that involves complex interactions within the gastrointestinal tract to strengthen the immune system to protect the animals against foreign substances that pass through the gut. The animals have the ability to ignore foreign matter during digestion to avoid allergies or hypersensitivity. It involves the secretion of an antibody (IgA) that covers the mucosal surface (Bels 2006 p.65). It binds to foreign substance in the lumen and prevents mucosal penetration. This protects the body against allergenic substance induced through food consumption. The immune cells, lymphocytes, suppress the responses of the immune system due to detection of a foreign matter. They also inhibit the response of other lymphocytes from reaction triggered by the foreign body. The digestive system of dogs can accommodate large amounts of food consumed at once while absorbing the entire nutrients requirement in one serving. This suits the animals’ feeding habits of hunting in packs since the competition for food requires the rapid consumption of food in bulk to avoid theft from other animals. Presence of a long small intestine also accommodates this feeding style, which causes rapid consumption by offering enough surface area for the absorption of nutrients from the food consumed (Reece 2013 p.38). The dog can therefore survive long hours without food consumption due to the heavy absorption of necessary nutrients from one meal. The cells in the esophagus secrete mucus necessary for the lubrication of food for digestion purposes. The striated muscles located in the esophagus produce peristaltic waves that enable the contraction and expansion of muscles in a span of seconds (Reece 2013 p.41). The cardiac sphincter also relaxes on time to enable the constant entry of food into the stomach for digestion and prevent congestion at the esophagus cause by swallowing of large amounts of food at the same time. This facilitates the timely digestion of food during the rapid consumption by the dog to prevent chocking. The stomach facilitates storage of bulky food consumed at a particular feeding event and it has expansion properties to facilitate the storage of large amounts of food. The pepsin and lipase enzymes are present at the stomach walls to facilitate protein digestion that comprises majority of the dog’s diet (Reece 2013 p.23). The stomach walls contain gastric secretions that vary according to the amount of food, protein content, as well as hormones. The small intestine has enzymatic secretions that facilitate the digestion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates and kill present microbial bacteria. Here the food combines with enzymes and its movement controlled by the amount of food intake at a particular time (Refinetti 2005 p.72). Timely water absorption also facilitates the high water intake of the animals (Amitrano & Tortora 2012 p.78). Cats have the inability to control enzyme secretion for the digestion of proteins whose set activity is high (Refinetti 2005 p.74). This ensures that cats seek to consume the required amount of protein required in a day since all their basic diet requirements originate from meat. Their digestive system is able to adapt protein oxidation and conservation of nitrogen to match the protein intake and ensure the satisfaction of their diet requirements. The low rate of turnover for proteins in the cat’s bodies facilitates the maintenance of the protein at a higher level than the gluconeogenesis and the glucose (Refinetti 2005 p.65). The dental formula through the sharp canines and incisors facilitate the cats in killing and holding their prey to prevent its escape. The bodies of cats demand a very small amount of water intake in a day due to the consumption of moist food by the cats. Cats consume food with presence of moisture and avoid powdered foods since the lack water content. Their large intestines therefore absorb water at a very slow rate, which acts against the health of the cat since it reduces its rehydration rate in case of water deprivation. This property however suits the cat’s feeding habits properly by ensuring its sustainability in the absence of water. Considerations for Diet Composition Cats require Argnine, an amino acid, in their diet due to their high sensitivity to its absence (Refinetti 2005 p.32). Deficiency of Argnine in a single meal could cause severe hyperammonemia, emesis, hyperglycemia, lethargy, hyperactive salivation, severe weight loss, and inability to stand (Reece 2013 p.64). Argnine is also necessary due to the limited capability to produce ornithine and high AA catabolism as well as ammonia production. Another necessary requirement in cat’s diet is Taurine, a sulphur amino acid absent in plant proteins. Cysteine and methionine are the building blocks of Taurine through a limited number of enzymes. Taurine is essential for bile conjugation, retinal function, proper myocardial function, and reproductive system function (Bels 2006 p.85). Absence of Taurine causes retinal degeneration, growth of corneal and retinal lesions, and blindness. Vitamin A consumption in cats corrects the corneal lesions. The role of Taurine in the cat diet is the function of photoreceptors, generation of retina tissue, normal generation of electroretinograms, and prevention of blindness. Taurine is available in animal products such as meat, fish, and poultry, and in crystallized form. Plant food sources however lack Taurine, which is only available in animal-based feed. Dogs require large amounts of proteins in their diet mostly from animal products. Dogs are carnivores but can also qualify as omnivores since their body accommodates and absorbs carbohydrates. Proteins are necessary for the development of puppies and the general growth of dogs. Dogs also require fats in their diet for energy necessary for their active and aggressive lives (Sarikas 2009 p.101). However, excessive consumption of fats is dangerous for the dogs since it causes indigestion poses a threat to the health of dogs. Diet Design When designing a diet for cats and dogs, it is necessary to investigate the nutrient requirements for both animals. The nutrients requirement for cats is available in meat and other animal products hence a cat’s meal should feature a large proportion of meat (Schenck 2011 p.31). Dogs on the other hand require a variety of nutrients from proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The nutrient requirement should dictate the diet of each of the species to prevent deficiencies that result in deformities. The portions of the food also depend on the feeding habits of the species. Dogs eat few but huge amounts of food in one serving hence when serving dog food, one should make the servings large enough to satisfy them but avoid overfeeding. When feeding a cat on the other hand, frequent meals are necessary in small proportions to ensure the proper feeding of the cat. The palatability of food should also offer guidance in the selection of foods to include in the animals’ diet (Stein 2004 p.71). Cats are sensitive to bitter food hence such food should not appear in their meals. Dogs on the other hand prefer umami flavors and adapt to new food through their frequent inclusion in the diet. Water is also an essential part of the diet since dogs require a large water intake while cats consume moist food hence require less water intake. Foods poisonous to the animals also require consideration to avoid health problems for them as well as death. For instance, macadamia nuts, caffeine, and grapes are poisonous to dogs. They may cause major deformities in the animals that may eventually result in death of the animal in severe cases. Diet design is therefore an important aspect in the maintenance of both cats and dogs to ensure good health and facilitate their growth. References Amitrano R. , Tortora G. 2012. Update: Laboratory Exercises In Anatomy And Physiology. Freeload Press, St. Paul. Bels V. L. 2006. Feeding In Domestic Vertebrates: From Structure To Behaviour. Routledge, London. Cochran E. P. 2004. Laboratory Manual for Comparative Veterinary Anatomy. Francis & Group. Sydney. Reece W. O. 2013. Functional Anatomy and Physiology Of Domestic Animals. Thomson South-Western, Mason. Refinetti R. 2005. Circadian Physiology. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, Amsterdam. Sarikas S. N. 2009. Laboratory Investigations in Anatomy & Physiology: Cat Version. Ashgate publisher. Sydney. Schenck P. 2011. Home-Prepared Dog And Cat Diets. Ashbury Publisher. Melbourne. Stein D. 2004. The Natural Remedy Book For Dogs And Cats. Idea Group Pub, Hershey. Read More