CCAT Nutrition, Weight Management and Wellness Flashcards
7 cards from real CCAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 CCAT Nutrition, Weight Management and Wellness flashcards as text
A rehabilitation therapist is monitoring a post-TPLO dog's weight loss progress. The dog has lost 1.5% of body weight per week for four weeks. How should the therapist interpret this rate?
Answer: Appropriate — target rate is 1–2% per week for dogs
A weight loss rate of 1–2% of body weight per week is considered safe and effective for dogs, balancing fat reduction with preservation of lean muscle mass.
Which dietary component is MOST important for supporting cartilage matrix synthesis in a dog undergoing rehabilitation for hip dysplasia?
Answer: Sulfur-containing amino acids and glucosamine precursors
Sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine, cysteine) and glucosamine precursors provide substrates for glycosaminoglycan synthesis, which is essential for cartilage matrix maintenance and repair.
A feline rehabilitation patient has a muscle condition score (MCS) of 1/3. Which nutritional intervention should be PRIORITIZED?
Answer: High-protein diet providing at least 6–8 g protein/kg body weight/day
An MCS of 1/3 indicates severe muscle wasting; cats require high dietary protein (≥6–8 g/kg/day) to rebuild lean tissue, as they have uniquely high obligate protein requirements compared to dogs.
Which hydration assessment finding is MOST consistent with mild dehydration (5%) in a rehabilitation patient?
Answer: Slightly tacky mucous membranes and skin tent lasting 1–2 seconds
Mild dehydration (~5%) presents with slightly tacky mucous membranes and a skin tent that returns to normal in 1–2 seconds, without the more severe signs seen at higher dehydration percentages.
A rehabilitation therapist notes a patient dog's coat is dull and flaky despite receiving a complete and balanced commercial diet. Which nutritional issue should be investigated FIRST?
Answer: Inadequate essential fatty acid intake or absorption
Dull, flaky coat is a classic clinical sign of essential fatty acid (linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid) deficiency or malabsorption, which affects skin barrier function and coat quality.
When transitioning a rehabilitation patient to a prescription weight-management diet, the daily caloric target is typically set at what percentage of RER?
Answer: 80–90% of RER
Weight loss diets are typically initiated at 80–90% of RER (using ideal or target body weight), which creates a caloric deficit sufficient for fat loss while minimizing risk of muscle wasting or nutrient deficiency.
A rehabilitation clinic is developing a wellness program for senior dogs. Which combination of nutritional modifications BEST addresses the most common health challenges in geriatric canine patients?
Answer: Moderately increased high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidant supplementation
Geriatric dogs benefit from increased high-quality protein to counteract age-related muscle loss, omega-3 fatty acids for joint and cognitive support, and antioxidants to combat oxidative stress associated with aging.