Preliminary study: voluntary food intake in dogs during tryptophan supplementation.

Tryptophan, a precursor of important molecules such as serotonin, melatonin and niacin, is an essential amino acid for dogs. In pigs, tryptophan supplementation has been shown to induce a significant increase in food intake. The aim of the present study was to assess whether long-term tryptophan supplementation increases voluntary food intake in dogs and to observe whether this was accompanied by a change in serum ghrelin.

Evaluation of inciting causes, alternative targets, and risk factors associated with redirected aggression in cats.

Objective: To identify inciting causes, alternative targets, and risk factors associated with redirected aggression in cats.

Design: Case-control study.

Animals: 19 cats with a history of redirected aggression and 64 cats with no such history.