Effect of neuroactive nutritional supplementation on body weight and composition in growing puppies

Environmental risk factors in puppies and kittens for developing chronic disorders in adulthood: A call for research on developmental programming

Many dogs and cats are affected by chronic diseases that significantly impact their health and welfare and relationships with humans. Some of these diseases can be challenging to treat, and a better understanding of early-life risk factors for diseases occurring in adulthood is key to improving preventive veterinary care and husbandry practices. This article reviews early-life risk factors for obesity and chronic enteropathy, and for chronic behavioral problems, which can also be intractable with life-changing consequences. Aspects of early life in puppies and kittens that can impact the risk of adult disorders include maternal nutrition, establishment of the gut microbiome, maternal behavior, weaning, nutrition during growth, growth rate, socialization with conspecifics and humans, rehoming and neutering. Despite evidence in some species that the disorders reviewed here reflect the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD), developmental programming has rarely been studied in dogs and cats. Priorities and strategies to increase knowledge of early-life risk factors and DOHaD in dogs and cats are discussed. Critical windows of development are proposed: preconception, gestation, the suckling period, early growth pre-neutering or pre-puberty, and growth post-neutering or post-puberty to adult size, the durations of which depend upon species and breed. Challenges to DOHaD research in these species include a large number of breeds with wide genetic and phenotypic variability, and the existence of many mixed-breed individuals. Moreover, difficulties in conducting prospective lifelong cohort studies are exacerbated by discontinuity in pet husbandry between breeders and subsequent owners, and by the dispersed nature of pet ownership.

Roles of plant-based ingredients and phytonutrients in canine nutrition and health

Dogs possess the ability to obtain essential nutrients, established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), from both animal‐ and plant‐based ingredients. There has been a recent increase in the popularity of diets that limit or completely exclude certain plant‐based ingredients. Examples of these diets include ‘ancestral’ or ‘evolutionary’ diets, raw meat‐based diets and grain‐free diets. As compared to animal sources, plant‐derived ingredients (including vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds) provide many non‐essential phytonutrients with some data suggesting they confer health benefits. This review aims to assess the strength of current evidence on the relationship between the consumption of plant‐based foods and phytonutrients (such as plant‐derived carotenoids, polyphenols and phytosterols) and biomarkers of health and diseases (such as body weight/condition, gastrointestinal health, immune health, cardiovascular health, visual function and cognitive function) from clinical trials and epidemiological studies. This review highlights the potential nutritional and health benefits of including plant‐based ingredients as a part of balanced canine diets. We also highlight current research gaps in existing studies and provide future research directions to inform the impact of incorporating plant‐based ingredients in commercial or home‐prepared diets.

Amino Acids in Dog Nutrition and Health

The dog has assumed a prominent role in human society. Associated with that status, diet choices for companion dogs have begun to reflect the personal preferences of the owners, with greater emphasis on specialty diets such as organic, vegan/vegetarian, and omission or inclusion of specific ingredients. Despite consumer preferences and many marketing strategies employed, the diets must ensure nutritional adequacy for the dog; if not, health becomes compromised, sometimes severely. The most frequent consideration of consumers and dog food manufacturers is protein source and concentration with a growing emphasis on amino acid composition and bioavailability. Amino acids in general play diverse and critical roles in the dog, with specific amino acids being essential. This review covers what is known regarding amino acids in dog nutrition.