Research updates on diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathyAugust 15, 2019As veterinarians, our mission to identify curable conditions is everlasting, but like many of our human colleagues, we too may be overlooking the most logical etiology of all—food.
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A systematic approach to designing weight loss plans for cats and dogsAugust 2, 2019Obesity is defined as excess body weight that may contribute to impaired health and body function. Survey data suggest more than half of the cats and dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese, making obesity the most common nutritional disease in companion animals.
Zoetis strengthens equine portfolio with acquisitionJuly 25, 2019Zoetis Inc., has entered into an agreement to purchase Platinum Performance. The acquisition aims to strengthen Zoetis’s nutritional offerings, particularly within the equine market.
Cats' weight on the riseJuly 19, 2019Cats are, indeed, getting chunkier. This is according to a new study out of the University of Guelph’s (U of G’s) Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) in Canada, which analyzed the data of more than 19 million cats in North America to demonstrate the typical weight gain and loss of the animals over their lifetimes.
What does FDA's DCM alert mean?July 8, 2019Last week brought a revealing announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). After frequent and persistent petitioning from veterinarians, veterinary nutritionists, and caregivers, the FDA finally released a list of the brands that have been linked to cases of diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Since June 27, my inbox and social media sites have been blowing up with shares, retweets, and emails from concerned friends and family. The story was even picked up by major new outlets such as CNN and ABC, adding to the fervor. But I'm conflicted about this report. On one hand, certain pet food manufacturers have taken a very cavalier approach to their diet's role in this preventable and potentially deadly disease. Because only a relatively "small percentage" of dogs develop diet-associated DCM on their foods, they insist there is no problem, ignoring the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. On the other hand, the FDA's report paints a broad stroke over specific brands and is being interpreted (at least by the concerned friends and owners I've talked to) as an indictment of all "grain-free" diets or of certain manufacturers, which is a less than helpful oversimplification of a complex problem. As I advised in my …
Veterinary professionals, pet owners divided on pet food claimsJune 26, 2019When it comes to an animal’s nutrition, veterinary professionals and pet owners remain divided on several dietary trends.
Osteoarthritis in pets on the rise alongside obesity epidemicJune 25, 2019The prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) in pets has skyrocketed in the past decade, with the condition seeing a 66 percent increase in dogs and a 150 percent increase in cats.
Are vegan or vegetarian diets good for pets?June 24, 2019Pet owners frequently project their beliefs about human health onto their companion animals. Anxieties about purported harms from vaccines in children, for example, have spurred an anti-vaccination movement among veterinarians and pet owners.
Blue Buffalo expands manufacturing capacity with new facilityJune 20, 2019Pet food company Blue Buffalo has opened a new manufacturing plant in Richmond, Ind., to increase the U.S. and Canadian production of its natural health food product lines.
Old Mother Hubbard, Loop to create reusable pet food packagingJune 13, 2019Old Mother Hubbard is offering dog owners an additional way to reduce pet food packaging with its new partnership with Loop. The all-natural dog treats company will work with Loop to design and create reusable containers for its treats, allowing owners to get a replenished shipment without wasted packaging. "WellPet was the first U.S.-based pet food company with a recycling program for wellness pet food packaging, which is recycled into everything from lawn chairs to playground equipment," says Greg Kean, vice-president of innovation and product development at WellPet, maker of Old Mother Hubbard all-natural dog treats. "Our brand Old Mother Hubbard, which has 90 years' experience in baking authentic, small batch, all-natural dog treats from time honored recipes, will be one of the first pet food brands to collaborate with Loop. "We are doing this through a refillable treats jar so pet parents can embrace the fun of snack time and delight their pets in a more sustainable way. Our partnership with Loop reinforces the fact that our customers share our commitment to making the world around us greener." Loop provides commonly used products in customized, brand-specific packaging that is delivered in a reusable shipping tote. When the product …
