title: Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of 25% diet restriction on life span of dogs and on markers of aging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Paired feeding study.
  
  
  METHODS
  48 Labrador Retrievers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs were paired, and 1 dog in each pair was fed 25% less food than its pair-mate from 8 weeks of age until death. Serum biochemical analyses were performed, body condition was scored, and body composition was measured annually until 12 years of age. Age at onset of chronic disease and median (age when 50% of the dogs were deceased) and maximum (age when 90% of the dogs were deceased) life spans were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with control dogs, food-restricted dogs weighed less and had lower body fat content and lower serum triglycerides, triiodothyronine, insulin, and glucose concentrations. Median life span was significantly longer for dogs in which food was restricted. The onset of clinical signs of chronic disease generally was delayed for food-restricted dogs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that 25% restriction in food intake increased median life span and delayed the onset of signs of chronic disease in these dogs.
authors: Pet Nutrition Research Department, Nestle Purina Pet Care Co, St Louis, MO 63164, USA.
authors: Richard D
authors: RD
authors: Kealy
authors: Dennis F
authors: DF
authors: Lawler
authors: Joan M
authors: JM
authors: Ballam
authors: Sandra L
authors: SL
authors: Mantz
authors: Darryl N
authors: DN
authors: Biery
authors: Elizabeth H
authors: EH
authors: Greeley
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Lust
authors: Mariangela
authors: M
authors: Segre
authors: Gail K
authors: GK
authors: Smith
authors: Howard D
authors: HD
authors: Stowe
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005508:Food Deprivation / Q000502:physiology*; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors