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Study Proves Lean Dogs Live Longer
The first-ever canine lifetime diet restriction study has confirmed that less is better than more when it comes to feeding dogs. Results from the Purina Life Span Study show that dogs that were maintained at 25% fewer calories than control dogs had a 15% longer median life span, or nearly two years for the Labrador Retrievers in this study. "This 14-year study is the first of its kind to be completed using larger mammals," says Dennis Lawler, DVM, who with Richard Kealy, PhD, headed the research team. "This comprehensive study evaluated the effects of reduced food intake on body condition and a variety of health parameters, as well as life span itself. We learned from this study that feeding less doesn't necessarily change what health problems dogs encounter or what, ultimately, causes their deaths, but does influence when this occurs." The study was designed be a team of scientists from the Purina Pet Nutrition Research Department and specialists from universities around the United States conducted the study at the Purina Pet Care Center in Gray Summit, MO. Forty-eight Labrador Retriever puppies from seven litters were paired within their litters according to gender and body weight and then randomly placed in the control or lean-fed groups. All dogs were fed the same complete and balanced diets (puppy, then adult formulations) for the entire period of the study; only the quantity provided was different. The control group was allowed to eat ad libitum during 15 minute daily feedings, while the lean-fed group was fed 75 percent of the amount eaten by its paired littermates. Some highlights from this study are as follows:
Do you think your dog is overweight? Click on the link below to download a Body Condition Score (BCS) chart. Download Canine BCS Chart |
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