Nutrition

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DAVIS, CALIF. - 04/15/05 - Researchers have identified the mechanism that allows animals to recognize the amino-acid content in foods. Neurophysiologist Dorothy Gietzen and colleagues at the University of California-Davis (UC-Davis) School of Veterinary Medicine say the discovery has implications for the betterment of human health, particularly in epileptics, some of whom are influenced by amino-acid deficiencies.

Since 1980, the number of overweight children in the United States has tripled, climbing to 15 percent. In comparison, the National Research Council estimates 15 percent of pets were overweight a decade ago and nearly 40 percent are overweight today. Given a culture that increasingly regards pets as family members—and even children—with a place at an over-bountiful table, the rising number of overweight pets should come as no surprise.

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Sure, Brownie's not as spry as she used to be," says your slightly indignant client, petting her basset hound's bowling ball stomach. "But that doesn't mean that she's not a healthy, happy dog, Doctor."

Our society is losing the war on obesity. And bad eating habits have spilled into the pet population. No matter how hard you preach, many clients don't seem to heed the warnings. In fact, client compliance with nutritional recommendations for therapeutic foods ranks at a dismal 12 percent compliance rate out of the the 59 percent of all dogs and cats that have visited a veterinarian and would benefit from treatment with a therapeutic diet, according to last year's American Animal Hospital Association's (AAHA) study. It was the worst compliance category. The survey estimates lost revenue in excess of $110,000 per veterinarian per year for therapeutic pet foods alone.

Brea, Calif.-According to actuarial data, between 25 percent and 40 percent of all American household pets are overweight or obese. And this trend is leading to an increase in obesity-related pet illnesses.