Prescription dry food : For those who want to laugh...

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Capoo

Member Since 2016
Hi,


As my vet knows that I'm found of everything that is linked to feline nutrition, and as recent researches have showed that dry food is really not suitable for cats, he sends me regularly by email the opinions of different prescription diet manufacturers. (He has also recently transitioned his own cat to wet food, just to say...).
My vet has told me that since recently, there is an open war between manufacturers, as one of them has finally agreed that cats are obligate carnivores, are not "designed" to deal with high quantities of carbohydrates, and thus has created a new prescription food, a dry one, with low carbohydrates content (still not low enough for me, and for all of us, but that's another debate).

So just for fun, please have a look at the Hill's answer to that.
Sorry, it's in French, and for the time being, I don't have the courage to translate it.
But according to them, you have the good carbohydrates, and they of course use them, and the bad carbohydrates that the others use.
What is a good carbohydrate, and what is a bad carbohydrate, the story doesn't tell...
It's ridiculous....


Sophie
 

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I ran it through Google Translate, and Here is what I came up with. Sophie, you'll have to tell us how accurate it is, as I don't speak French.

Tricia,

When I click on your link to Google, I have an error.

I'm going to translate the chapter dedicated to cats and carbohydrates, with my own comments in blue:

"Cats are obligate carnivores ; however they can digest with an efficiency up more than 90% (see study #1). (This study was performed with cats 5 years old, weighing 4 kg...) high quality properly prepared carbohydrates. It is more important to avoid bad carbs (what is a bad carb???) than worrying percentage of their inclusion in the food. Hill's uses high quality carbohydrates (what is a high quality carb???) in all of its products, and ingredients used to bring these carbohydrates also provide other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, fiber and amino acids.
Based on current published evidence , there is no cause and effect between carbohydrate intake and obesity or diabetes in cats (studies #2-6).
In fact , a sedentary lifestyle , a indoors life , sterilization and the consumption of foods high in fat and energy have all been identified as risk factors for obesity, rather than carbohydrates". (No, the corresponding study says that "The results indicated that the proportion of dry food in a cat's diet may not be an independent risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, whereas physical inactivity and indoor confinement are »).
 
When I click on your link to Google, I have an error.
Well, Darn! Okay, so I copied the translation and pasted it here. Let's see how it compares to your translation:


Point of view

Virbac VETERNINARY HPM ™ -

Exclusively supply veterinary physiological

for dogs and cats

KEY LESSONS

· Cats can digest high quality carbohydrate correctly processed (cooked) with an efficiency until {over 90%. 1

· Dogs are opportunistic omnivores, so they do not require as high protein intake levels that a strict carnivore like the cat. 7.8 The dogs are able to digest, absorb and effectively transform carbohydrates as omnivores. 9.10

· The protein levels of all Hill's products meet or exceed the required nutrient intakes and are based on a consensus of scientific evidence, taken over by the National Research Council (NRC), the guidelines of the FEDIAF, and those of Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

· The ash content is higher in Virbac products compared Hill's product. The ashes come from minerals and are an indirect indicator of protein quality protein sources from animal by-products. It would be necessary to evaluate the quality of protein in animal feed, not just quantity.

· Products Virbac VETERINARY HPM ™ contain higher phosphorous levels than products Hill's Vet Essentials. Chitosan, a chelating phosphorus was added in the food Virbac; Gold is not known if a phosphate binder added to the food significantly reduces the bioavailability of phosphorus to levels considered appropriate.

· There is a lack of clinical evidence for a beneficial effect of probiotics added to processed foods for cats and dogs. 25



CONTEXT

Virbac has launched a new range of physiological food for dogs and cats, for veterinary, "super-premium", containing high levels of animal protein and low levels of carbohydrates. The marketing campaign is centered on the fact that dogs and cats are "carnivorous for 30,000 generations. "The products are supported by a study canine and feline two studies of Nutrition and Endocrinology Unit of the National Veterinary School of Nantes - ONIRIS.

CATS AND CARBS

Cats are obligate carnivores; however they can digest with an efficiency up more than 90% {1 high quality properly prepared carbohydrates. It is more important to avoid bad carbs than worrying percentage of their inclusion in the food. Hill's uses high quality carbohydrates in all of its products and ingredients 2 used to bring these carbohydrates also provide other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, fiber and amino acids.

Based on current published evidence, there is no cause and effect between {carbohydrate intake and obesity or diabetes in cats. 2-6 In fact, a sedentary lifestyle, a life { inside, sterilization and the consumption of foods high in fat and energy have all been identified as risk factors for obesity, rather than carbohydrates. 4-6

DOGS ARE REALLY EATING?

Virbac says "VETERINARY HPM ™ is a new generation of online nutrition with nutritional needs of dogs, guided by their instinct. "The position of Virbac is that cats and dogs are" carnivorous for 30,000 generations. "

While cats are, in fact, strict carnivores and need more protein in their diet, dogs are considered opportunistic omnivores, that is to say, they naturally eat whatever is available to them including plants and animals. The dogs were separated from their ancestors the wolves there are approximately 32,000 years old, and have evolved parallel to the side of humans. 7 Thus, following this coevolution, dogs genes have become different from wolves. The genes of digestion and metabolism show a similar evolution between humans and dogs 7; 10 channels of genetic changes associated with domestication affect the digestion of starch and lipid metabolism. 8 Dogs are able to obtain large amounts of energy from {nutrients in cereal grains. Almost 99% of the starch fraction and almost 84% of the protein fraction of the seeds of cereals are used usually digestible by dogs. 9,10

PROTEIN

The health impact of excess dietary protein is a very active research topic in humans and for animals. Currently, there is no evidence to support the hypothesis that excess dietary protein is harmful to dogs and cats healthy. However, controlled levels of protein can be beneficial for animals with undeclared chronic kidney disease. 11 In addition, high levels of protein intake may not be suitable for dogs or cats at risk of developing certain types of urolithiasis. 11

Dogs and cats need amino acids, which can come from different sources other than animal proteins. The 11 amino acid content necessary to allow adult animals maintain their muscles, tissues, hormones and enzymes is fixed . If an amino acid is deficient (reducing), an entire protein may not be performed in vivo and the protein synthesis stops 11 Amino acids absorbed beyond the required needs will be destroyed. nitrogenous waste is produced and eliminated by the kidneys, and the carbon chain is burned to produce energy or stored as fat, depending on the energy balance of the animal. Undigested proteins are removed by the body through the stool. 11

Analysis of the crude protein measurement the amount of nitrogen in the food and does not assess the quality of protein, which can be defined as the efficiency of the conversion of amino acids into tissue. Digestibility, protein source, and amino acid profile all contribute to the quality of protein. The ash content, the transformation process and other nutrients such as fiber may impact protein digestibility. 11 The ashes come from minerals and are an indirect indicator of protein quality protein sources from animal by-products . Since they increase with an increase in bone content. The majority of prot é é ines contained in the bone collagen is the only è 12 that participates in the total contribution of gross prot é ines, but is considered as e r e d e cient in most 3 amino acids essential ed. 13 Virbac VETERINARY HPM ™ products contain higher amounts of ash, from 8.2 to 9.5% compared to the Dry Matter (DM), compared with those of Hill's VetEssentials formulas, which vary 4.6 to 6.7% / MS.

Contributions in prot é ines Food Hill 's are optimized ed for each life stage data é and are justified by the clinical nutrition research. In addition, Hill's uses sources of prot é high quality e ines, with the right e balance of acids, ash rate control O l e s, and most products have a digestibility é of prot é ines sup ed higher than 85%. The rate prot é ines Food Hill 's VetEssentials are low when compared to those of Virbac in his e study in dogs, e é used in support of their new food. Leriche et al compar ed highly prot é é in dog food (38% of the metabolizable energy (ME)) to foods with moderate protein content (23% FS) and low (15% FS). Hill's Canine formulas VetEssentials contain protein levels ranging between 20 and 29% EM according to life stages.

André et al compared a cat food with high protein content (52% FS) feed rate to moderate protein (33.7% FS). In this study, neutered cats eating food with moderate levels of protein had a significant decrease in lean muscle mass and an increase in body fat over a period of 5 months, compared to cats consuming food protein content { high. However, feline studies Virbac uses to support its products do not specify the amount of proteins, for their quality. Hill's has conducted numerous nutritional studies in cats eating foods with different protein contents. Whatever the amount of protein, all the studies have shown that cats or maintained their lean muscle mass, either increased, as measured by two-photon absorptiometry (DEXA), even at levels as low as 28 proteins MS% (Table 1). 14-17These results demonstrate the importance of a food containing high quality protein for every stage of life or pathological situations. However, if one wishes to cats a high protein food, various options exist in the Hill's products offer (VetEssentials NeuteredCat, Science Plan ™ Perfect Weight, Science Plan ™ Kitten, Prescription Diet ™ m / d, w / d, r / d, Metabolic). If a food with high protein and low levels of carbohydrates is specifically required for adult cats, Prescription Diet ™ m / d is a wise choice, with ash content (5.9% / MS) and phosphorus (0.8% / MS) controlled.

PHOSPHORUS

Phosphorus levels are generally high in foods that contain high levels of proteins of animal origin, unless the food is formulated with special ingredients. {11 long-term impact of foods with higher levels of phosphorus, on animal health is not known. However, excessive phosphorus rates (> 0.9 to 1% / MS) are harmful to dogs and cats with renal disease and proved to have been associated with 1) a quality of life and reduced life expectancy, 2 ) more uremic episodes, and 3) renal histological changes including inflammation, fibrosis and mineralization. 18-24 Virbac products phosphorus intake VETERINARY HPM ™ varies between 1.0 to 1.1% / MS, while Hill's products VetEssentials vary between 0.6 to 0.8% / MS. To lower the amount of phosphorus absorbed by dogs or cats, Virbac added chitosan, a chelating phosphorus in his food. Add a phosphate binder that shows Virbac is not {comfortable with the phosphorus level of its food. It is not known whether the addition of a phosphate binder to a food, moderate phosphorus content, will not significantly reduce the bioavailability of phosphorus. In addition, inadequate absorption of phosphorus can lead, over time, to health problems for animals and intake levels may not be suitable for puppies and growing kittens. 4

LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS PASTEURIZED

The probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus has been added to all food Virbac VETERINARY HPM ™ as the last ingredient on the list of raw materials. While active research in dogs and cats were conducted both gastrointestinal microbiome (IM) as the benefits of probiotics, there are still today largely unknown. 25 Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that provide health benefits {their host when administered in adequate amounts. 26 It is unlikely that the bacteria in these foods have survived the manufacturing process and we do not know if they are present in adequate quantity to have a beneficial effect on the GI microbiome. A study in mice found that the DNA of bacteria brought health benefits, suggesting that probiotics do not necessarily have to be alive and viable to have a positive effect.27 However, clinical studies of high grade on dogs and cats are necessary to determine if non-living bacteria provide any health benefit for these species. Therefore, the addition of these bacteria to foods for dogs and cats could offer no special benefit while increasing the cost thereof.

ABSTRACT

The nutrients in foods Hill's are based on years of scientific evidence.

A high-quality food requires a precise blend of ingredients to meet the specific nutritional needs of dogs and cats. Nutritional needs vary depending on life stage, lifestyle, or clinical situations. Hill's combines nutrient-rich ingredients and high quality to create balanced food, which veterinarians have always trusted and that they recommend for over 60 years.

In addition to being a proven nutrition, Vet Essentials selected foods benefit from oral {technology proven effectiveness, and are suitable for dogs and cats less active, neutered or prone {obesity, they promote a healthy skin and coat, deliver superior formula enriched in antioxidants and support healthy urinary system.

Table 1: Clinical studies evaluating Hill's lean body mass by dual-photon absorptiometry (DEXA) in cats eating foods with varying amounts of protein Author12-15.

Year

Protein levels

Duration of Study

population studied

Lean Body Mass (DEXA)

Kirk et al 14

2000

24% FS

(~ 31% MS)

20% FS

(~ 28% MS)

16 weeks

MRC 10 cats;

9 senior cats



Stable

Yamka and al15

2010

28% MS

16 weeks

12 senior cats

(10 +/- 2 years)

Stable

Yu et al 16

2011

28.5% MS

30 weeks

7 MRC cats

Stable ↑

Floerchinger

and al17

2015

38.3% MS

16 weeks

weight maintenance

19 adult cats

(7-13 years)

 
Never say Hills doesn't continue to shovel the same "stuff" they've been shoveling for years!!!

I guess if they use bigger words, they figure they might sound more educated
icon_lol.gif
 
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