The balance of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in canine, feline, and equine nutrition: exploring sources and the significance of alpha-linolenic acid.

Both n-6 and n-3 fatty acids (FA) have numerous significant physiological roles for mammals. The interplay between these families of FA is of interest in companion animal nutrition due to the influence of the n-6:n-3 FA ratio on the modulation of the inflammatory response in disease management and treatment. As both human and animal diets have shifted to greater consumption of vegetable oils rich in n-6 FA, the supplementation of n-3 FA to canine, feline, and equine diets has been advocated for.

Comparison of the diagnostic yield of 3 and 5 mm laparoscopic liver biopsy forceps in cats.

Objective: To determine whether 3 and 5 mm laparoscopic cup biopsy forceps provide samples of equivalent diagnostic quality in cats.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Animals: Twelve colony cats undergoing a concurrent nutrition study.

Dietary choline, but not L-carnitine, increases circulating lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, without affecting body composition, energy expenditure or respiratory quotient in lean and obese male cats during weight maintenance.

Introduction: Due to the involvement in one-carbon metabolism and lipid mobilization, choline and L-carnitine supplementation have been recommended to minimize hepatic lipid accumulation and support fat oxidation, respectively. This study investigated the lipotropic benefits of choline or L-carnitine supplementation in lean and obese cats maintaining body weight (BW).

Methods: Lean [ = 9; body condition score (BCS): 4-5/9] and obese ( = 9; BCS: 8-9/9) adult male neutered colony cats were used in a replicated 3 x 3 complete Latin square design.

Serum metabolomic analysis of the dose-response effect of dietary choline in overweight male cats fed at maintenance energy requirements.

Choline participates in methyl group metabolism and has been recognized for its roles in lipid metabolism, hepatic health and muscle function in various species. Data regarding the impacts of choline on feline metabolic pathways are scarce. The present study investigated how choline intake affects the metabolomic profile of overweight cats fed at maintenance energy.

Circulating direct infusion MS and NMR metabolomic profiles of post-gonadectomy kittens with or without additional dietary choline supplementation.

Choline is beneficial for energy metabolism and growth in various species. Choline may work similarly in kittens at risk of obesity. Direct infusion MS (Di-MS) and NMR spectroscopy were used to investigate the metabolomic signatures of kittens supplemented with or without additional dietary choline for 12 weeks.

Dose-response relationship between dietary choline and serum lipid profile, energy expenditure, and respiratory quotient in overweight adult cats fed at maintenance energy requirements.

Choline is an essential nutrient linked to hepatic lipid metabolism in many animal species, including cats. The current study investigated the serum lipid profiles, serum liver enzymes, respiratory quotients, and energy expenditures of overweight cats fed maintenance diets, in response to graded doses of supplemental dietary choline. Overweight (body condition score [BCS]: ≥6/9) adult male neutered cats (n = 14) were supplemented with five choline chloride doses for 3-wk periods, in a 5 × 5 Latin square design.

Effect of Total Starch and Resistant Starch in Commercial Extruded Dog Foods on Gastric Emptying in Siberian Huskies.

Gastric emptying rate (GER) may impact diabetes and obesity in humans and could provide a method to reduce canine weight gain. Starch, the most common source of carbohydrates (CHOs) in pet food, is classified as rapidly or slowly digestible, or resistant to digestion. This study investigated starch source effects in commercial extruded dog foods on the GER of 11 healthy adult Siberian Huskies.

Serum Lipid, Amino Acid and Acylcarnitine Profiles of Obese Cats Supplemented with Dietary Choline and Fed to Maintenance Energy Requirements.

Obesity is a health concern for domestic cats. Obesity and severe energy restriction predispose cats to feline hepatic lipidosis. As choline is linked to lipid metabolism, we hypothesized that dietary choline supplementation would assist in reducing hepatic fat through increased lipoprotein transport and fatty acid oxidation.

Glycemic response in nonracing sled dogs fed single starch ingredients and commercial extruded dog foods with different carbohydrate sources.

This study adapted the established glycemic index (GI) methodology used in human research to perform two studies in sled dogs in order to assess the blood glucose-raising potential of pulse-based dog foods. The first was a pilot study (n = 6 dogs) to determine the GI of single starch sources (white bread, cooked white rice, and cooked green lentils) using a glucose solution as control. Next, the effect on glycemic and insulinemic meal responses and GI of commercial extruded dog foods containing different categories of starch sources (traditional grain, whole grain, grain-free, and vegan) were investigated on 11 dogs using a glucose control.

Dog owner's accuracy measuring different volumes of dry dog food using three different measuring devices.

Prior research demonstrates significant inaccuracy when repeatedly measuring the same amount of dry dog food using a dry-food measuring cup, bringing into question the accuracy of measuring devices. This study aimed to determine dog owners' accuracy when measuring different volumes of dry dog food using different types of measuring devices. One hundred dog owners, randomly assigned one of three measuring devices (a one-cup dry-food measuring cup, a two-cup graduated-liquid measuring cup or a two-cup commercial food scoop), were asked to measure ¼, ½ and 1 cup of dry dog food.

Motoric self-regulation by sled dogs and pet dogs and the acute effect of carbohydrate source in sled dogs.

Inhibitory control is a term used to envelop a collection of processes that allow an organism to refrain from engaging in an inappropriate prepotent or responsive behavior. Studies have examined the propensity of inhibitory control by nonhuman animals, from the cognitively complex processes involved in self-control to potentially less cognitively taxing processes such as motoric self-regulation. Focusing on canines, research has suggested that the domestication process as well as experiences during ontogeny contribute to inhibitory control.