Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs.
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.
Kealy
Richard D
RD
Pet Nutrition Research Department, Nestle Purina Pet Care Co, St Louis, MO 63164, USA.
Lawler
Dennis F
DF
Ballam
Joan M
JM
Mantz
Sandra L
SL
Biery
Darryl N
DN
Greeley
Elizabeth H
EH
Lust
George
G
Segre
Mariangela
M
Smith
Gail K
GK
Stowe
Howard D
HD
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