R. F. G. Olivindo and colleagues (2022), writing in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, evaluated eight veterinary diets for obese dogs marketed in Brazil. The study tested whether these diets, under energy restriction for weight loss, provided adequate levels of essential nutrients as recommended by the National Research Council (NRC) and the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF).
Researchers calculated nutrient supply per kilogram of metabolic body weight under varying scenarios of target weight reduction (−10% to −40% of initial body weight). They then compared these results with the intake recommendations provided by diet manufacturers.
Key findings included:
• 7 of 8 diets failed to meet at least one essential nutrient recommendation at moderate calorie restriction levels.
• At the strictest restriction (−40% of body weight), all diets were deficient in at least one nutrient.
• Deficiencies were most commonly found for calcium, magnesium, potassium, selenium, sodium, protein, and fat.
• When an additional 10% calorie reduction was applied, all diets showed deficiencies, even under less extreme weight targets.
• Manufacturer feeding recommendations did not always align with NRC or FEDIAF standards, creating potential risks if diets were followed without veterinary adjustment.
The study concluded that while veterinary weight-loss diets are widely prescribed, they cannot be assumed to provide balanced nutrition during energy restriction. The authors stress that such diets must be prescribed and monitored by veterinarians, ideally those with nutrition expertise, to avoid unintended nutrient deficiencies that could compromise health during weight management.
Source: Olivindo, R. F. G., Zafalon, R., Teixeira, F., Vendramini, T., Pedrinelli, V., & Brunetto, M. A. (2022). Evaluation of the nutrients supplied by veterinary diets commercialized in Brazil for obese dogs undergoing a weight loss program. Journal: Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. Publication Date: 2022-02-02. Authors: R. F. G. Olivindo, R. Zafalon, F. Teixeira, T. Vendramini, V. Pedrinelli, M. A. Brunetto.
