Evaluating Nutritional Research: The Problems Meg Smart DVM, PhD

Research Funding

A recent article “Science under Siege” although about pharmaceutical research(Discover Magazine Oct2007)) reflects what is happening in the pet food industry . Private funding to academic institutions by big pharmaceutical companies is allowing science to become a powerful tool in their fight against regulation. Research in small animal nutrition has been traditionally underfunded or more accurately seldom funded by independent granting agencies. This has left the field wide open for the pet food industry to control and direct the research done in an academic institution, and within their own facilities. Research into pet foods is seldom at “arm’s length”.

Canadian Broadcasting Cooperation documentary “Pet Food A Dog’s Breakfast”.

This documentary can be viewed on UTube.ca Pet Food A Dog's Breakfast CBC Doc Zone

Home made diets and Renal Disease in Dogs by Meg Smart DVM. PhD

The kidney is "a clearing house", conserving vital minerals, degrading and excreting harmful metabolic by-products, controlling water balance, acid-base balance, blood pressure, and producing hormones such as Vitamin D (bone metabolism), erythropoietin (red blood cell production), and renin. If clinical signs, the blood work and a urinalysis indicates your dog is showing signs of kidney failure, your veterinarian may recommend a dietary change depending on the severity of the kidney disease. Because the kidney is “a clearing house” a change in diet or increasing the number of times per day your dog is fed decreases the work load on the kidney associated with the digestion and metabolism of nutrients found in the food. Protein quantity and quality can be a major factor in controlling the blood urea nitrogen (BUN).