Optimum Nutrition for Health: Eating Enough Doesn’t Maximize Health for Companion Animals

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Companion Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 January 2024) | Viewed by 3783

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
Interests: canine; feline; nutrition; lipid metabolism

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Companion animals play an important role in our lives, with increasingly stronger human–pet bonds being formed, especially during the COVID-19 epidemic. Because of the high number of pets that now exist, the food industry for companion animals is growing rapidly. Despite past successes and opportunities that exist in the future, there are also current challenges that must be considered.

In regard to the nutrition research of companion animals to be published in this Special Issue, we are pleased to invite scholarly articles pertaining to nutritional disorders, pet overfeeding, and the pet obesity crisis in companion animals. Original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: a diet supplemented with feed additives modulating the intestinal microbiota and improving the health of companion animals, recent advances and future needs in the areas of canine and feline feed ingredients, and innovative pet food processing methods.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Dennis E. Jewell
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • companion animals
  • diet
  • optimum nutrition
  • feed additives
  • intestinal microbiota
  • diet-related health disorders
  • obesity
  • pet food processing

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 277 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Ethyl Esters of Linseed Oil on the Changes in the Fatty Acid Profile of Hair Coat Sebum, Blood Serum and Erythrocyte Membranes in Healthy Dogs
by Anna Wyrostek, Katarzyna Czyż, Ewa Sokoła-Wysoczańska, Bożena Patkowska-Sokoła and Wiesław Bielas
Animals 2023, 13(14), 2250; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13142250 - 9 Jul 2023
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of supplementation with ethyl esters of linseed oil on the fatty acid profile in hair sebum, blood serum and erythrocyte membranes in healthy dogs. The material for the study included hair and blood [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of supplementation with ethyl esters of linseed oil on the fatty acid profile in hair sebum, blood serum and erythrocyte membranes in healthy dogs. The material for the study included hair and blood samples of adult beagle dogs. The experiment was performed in two periods: summer and winter. Each time it lasted 16 weeks. During the first 8 weeks, the dogs received a supplement, the amount of which was determined individually so that the ratio of α-linolenic acid (ALA) to linoleic acid (LA) together in the feed and supplement was 1:1. Hair coat and blood samples were collected on days 0, 56 and 112; i.e., before the start of supplementation, after 8 weeks of supplementation and 8 weeks after supplementation was completed. The study included a determination of the fatty acid profile with a particular emphasis on polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in hair sebum, blood serum and erythrocyte membranes. As a result of supplementation, a significant decrease in saturated acids and an increase in unsaturated acids was observed in hair sebum both in summer and winter and especially in omega-3 fatty acids; i.e., α-linolenic (ALA) and its derivatives eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The same relationships were observed in blood serum and in erythrocyte cell membranes in all the studied periods. Additionally, 8 weeks after the end of supplementation, the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids was still higher compared to the period before supplementation. Moreover, the supplementation resulted in a favorable decrease in the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 acids in the tested samples, which persisted even after the withdrawal period. Full article

Review

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27 pages, 597 KiB  
Review
Evaluation of Soybean Ingredients in Pet Foods Applications: Systematic Review
by Hee S. Kim, Evan C. Titgemeyer, Erica Curles, Livia M. Olsen and Charles G. Aldrich
Animals 2024, 14(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14010016 - 19 Dec 2023
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Abstract
Soybean use has been low in pet foods, even though they are an excellent source of protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and gut fermentable fibers. The purpose of this evaluation was to conduct a systematic review of the public literature to explore how soybeans [...] Read more.
Soybean use has been low in pet foods, even though they are an excellent source of protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and gut fermentable fibers. The purpose of this evaluation was to conduct a systematic review of the public literature to explore how soybeans have been researched for pet food applications since 2000 and to provide strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for soybeans in the pet food industry. The review covered a total of 44 articles related to soybean ingredients and their potential value in the pet food arena. The articles were categorized by their research contents and narratively summarized to demonstrate useful information to both the pet and soybean industries. When soybean-based products have been adequately processed to reduce the antinutritive factors, they are comparable to processed animal proteins in nutritional value, palatability, and functionality in pet food processing. We conclude that various food processing technologies and the versatility of soybean ingredients allow soybean to have considerable inclusion potential in pet foods. More research on dietary soybean ingredients regarding pet food processing, fermentation benefits on health, and consumer acceptance will be needed to understand soybean’s position in the future pet food industry. Full article
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