Pet News

Nourishing Paws, Nurturing Hearts: A Decade of Discovery

Unveiling the Canine-Diet Connection: A Pioneering Research Endeavor

Iowa State University and Freshpet have initiated a comprehensive research program to explore how different dietary regimens influence canine health and enhance the human-animal connection. This innovative study seeks to unravel the intricate links between what dogs eat and their overall well-being, as well as the qualitative aspects of their bond with owners.

A Glimpse into the Study's Design: A Diverse Cohort and Natural Settings

The study, spearheaded by Assistant Professor Logan Kilburn from Iowa State's Department of Animal Science, has enlisted 39 canine participants of varying ages and breeds residing in central Iowa. This diverse group ensures a broad spectrum of insights into how diet impacts different dogs in their natural home environments.

The Power of At-Home Research: Gaining Authentic Perspectives

Professor Kilburn emphasizes the significance of conducting this research in the dogs' familiar home settings. This approach provides invaluable data on how nutrition integrates into daily routines and profoundly shapes the relationship between pets and their human companions, offering a more realistic understanding than laboratory-controlled environments.

A Holistic Approach to Data Collection: Integrating Owner Insights and Objective Measures

Over a ten-month period, participating dog owners will adhere to specific feeding protocols. They will meticulously collect non-invasive health samples and complete detailed surveys. These surveys are designed to evaluate various facets of the human-animal bond, combining subjective owner observations with objective health indicators to offer a thorough understanding of diet's influence on both physical health and the owner-pet relationship.

Freshpet's Commitment to Advancing Canine Nutrition and Welfare

Gerardo Perez-Camargo, a veterinarian and Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Freshpet, highlights the company's belief in the pivotal role of nutrition in pets' lives and their familial relationships. He expresses Freshpet's enthusiasm for this partnership with Iowa State University, seeing it as a crucial step in contributing to research that advances the understanding of canine health and the human-animal bond.

Standard Process has unveiled its latest innovation, Canine Cognition Support, a powdered dietary supplement specifically formulated to bolster brain health and cognitive abilities in older dogs. This new offering aims to address common behavioral shifts observed in aging canines, which are often grouped under the acronym DISHAA: disorientation, changes in social behavior, irregular sleep patterns, diminished learned responses, altered activity levels, and heightened anxiety. By targeting these indicators of cognitive decline, the supplement seeks to improve the overall well-being of senior pets.

The formulation of Canine Cognition Support includes a carefully selected array of natural ingredients, such as Ginkgo Biloba, various B vitamins, beta-glucans derived from Lion's Mane Mushroom extract, Panax Ginseng, and CoQ10. This powerful combination of antioxidants, botanicals, and herbs is designed to support multiple neurological pathways crucial for cognitive function. These pathways include promoting healthy circulation within the brain, facilitating neurotransmitter production, and optimizing cellular energy metabolism. Additionally, the supplement incorporates Swiss chard and buckwheat, cultivated on Standard Process's certified organic farm, ensuring full traceability and quality from cultivation to the final product.

According to Katrina Verdeur, MS in food science and pet product development manager at Standard Process, while many pet owners may not be familiar with the clinical terminology of canine cognitive dysfunction, they often notice when their older dogs begin to act differently or "slow down." She emphasizes that targeted, whole food-based supplementation plays a vital role in managing these age-related cognitive changes. Canine Cognition Support was developed as a holistic solution to help pet parents maintain the cognitive health span and enhance the quality of life for their cherished senior companions.

This commitment to developing specialized nutritional support for aging animals reflects a broader understanding of pet wellness, highlighting the importance of addressing cognitive health as pets age. Providing older dogs with appropriate supplements can significantly improve their daily lives, allowing them to remain engaged and comfortable for longer, fostering a deeper bond between pets and their human families.