title: Assessing the adequacy of essential nutrient intake in obese dogs undergoing energy restriction for weight loss: a cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Canine obesity is usually treated with dietary energy restriction, but data are limited regarding nutritional adequacy. The aim of the current study was to compare intake of essential nutrients with National Research Council recommendations in obese dogs during weight management with a purpose-formulated diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven dogs were included in this non-randomised retrospective observational cohort study. All were determined to be systemically well, and without significant abnormalities based upon physical examination and clinicopathological assessments. The dogs underwent a controlled weight loss protocol of at least 182 days' duration using a high protein high fibre weight loss diet. Median, maximum, and minimum daily intakes of all essential nutrients were compared against NRC 2006 recommended allowances (RA) for adult dogs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median weight loss was 28 % (16-40 %), mean daily energy intake was 61 kcal/kg(0.75) (44-74 kcal/kg(0.75)), and no clinical signs of nutrient deficiency were observed in any dog. Based upon the average nutrient content of the diet, daily intake of the majority of essential nutrients was greater than their NRC 2006 recommended allowance (RA per kg body weight(0.75)), except for selenium, choline, methionine/cysteine, tryptophan, magnesium, and potassium. However, apart from choline (2/27 dogs) and methionine/cysteine (2/27 dogs), all essential nutrients remained above NRC minimum requirements (MR) throughout the trial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When fed the diet used in the current study, daily intakes of most essential nutrients meet both their NRC 2006 RA and MR in obese dogs during weight loss. In light of absence of clinical signs of nutrient deficiency, it is unclear what significance intakes less that NRC cut-offs for some nutrients have (especially selenium and choline), and further studies are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obesity and Endocrinology (Holden and German), University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK. ajgerman@liverpool.ac.uk.|Royal Canin Research Center (Serisier, Queau, Biourge), 30470, Aimargues, France. ajgerman@liverpool.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: German
authors.affiliation: Department of Obesity and Endocrinology (Holden and German), University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.|Royal Canin Research Center (Serisier, Queau, Biourge), 30470, Aimargues, France.
authors.forename: Shelley L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Holden
authors.affiliation: Department of Obesity and Endocrinology (Holden and German), University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.|Royal Canin Research Center (Serisier, Queau, Biourge), 30470, Aimargues, France.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Serisier
authors.affiliation: Department of Obesity and Endocrinology (Holden and German), University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.|Royal Canin Research Center (Serisier, Queau, Biourge), 30470, Aimargues, France.
authors.forename: Yann
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Queau
authors.affiliation: Department of Obesity and Endocrinology (Holden and German), University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.|Royal Canin Research Center (Serisier, Queau, Biourge), 30470, Aimargues, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Biourge
mesh_terms: D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy*; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin