No Observed Adverse Effects on Health Were Detected in Adult Beagle Dogs When Fed a High-Calcium Diet for 40 Weeks

Atwal, Jujhar; Stockman, J.A.; Gilham, Matthew; Allaway, David; Renfrew, Helen; Bakke, Anne Marie; Watson, Phillip

doi:10.3390/ani11061799

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Calcium deficiency may disturb homeostasis and lead to negative health consequences. Calcium deficiency resulting in hypocalcemia may be one of the causes of progressive lethargy, exercise intolerance, hind limb paresis, muscle atrophy and hyperesthesia12 .Research by Atwal et al13 in adult dogs shown that excess dietary calcium does not lead to adverse health effects, which means that a deficiency in the diet should be of more concern. Secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP), osteodystrophy and osteopenia are common complications that can occur in animals consuming an unbalanced diet.…”

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confidence: 99%

Mineral and heavy metal content in dry dog foods with different main animal components

Kępińska-Pacelik

Biel

Witkowicz

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Dog caregivers, mainly for economic reasons and easy availability, choose dry, over the counter diets (OTC). The mineral composition of OTC foods depends primarily on the components used in the production of the pet food. Regardless of the main component of the food, it must meet the recommended minimum mineral content, established by nutritional guidelines. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the mineral (Ca, K, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo) and heavy metal content (Pb, Co, Cd, Cr, Ni) using the methods of colorimetry and mass spectrometry, of OTC dry dog foods and to compare with the FEDIAF and AAFCO nutritional guidelines. Dry foods pose no risk to dogs in terms of heavy metal content. The worst results in terms of mineral content were obtained in mixed foods, therefore it is worth considering feeding the dog a mono-protein food. The PCA analysis disproved our hypothesis and revealed that the main animal source did not statistically significantly affect the levels of minerals and their ratios. However, the analysis of contrasts confirms the differentiation of the content of individual minerals between the groups of foods. For the first time, we proved that pet food with a mineral composition similar to the MIN-RL may be characterized by unfavorable mineral ratios.

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confidence: 99%

Mineral and heavy metal content in dry dog foods with different main animal components

Kępińska-Pacelik

Biel

Witkowicz

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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“…Finally, faecal N concentrations were based on 19 diets from six studies (Beynen et al., 2002; Cargo‐Froom et al., 2019; De Smet et al., 1999; Forster et al., 2012; Pinna et al., 2018; Wood et al., 2004), whereas faecal P concentrations were based on 17 diets from five studies (the same, except Forster et al., 2012). Urinary N concentrations were based on two studies (Beynen et al., 2002; Castrillo et al., 2001), whereas urinary P concentrations were based on 10 diets from three studies (Atwal et al., 2021; Stevenson et al., 2003; Wood et al., 2004), including one very well‐documented study (Atwal et al., 2021).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrient fertilization by dogs in peri‐urban ecosystems

Frenne

Cougnon

Janssens

et al. 2022

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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(Semi‐)natural ecosystems provide many important benefits to nature and people, but are often located near populated and urbanized areas across the globe. During recreational activities, many people bring dogs into peri‐urban forests and nature, but their nutrient inputs per unit space and time via dog faeces and urine into ecosystems remain scarcely quantified. Here, we estimate net fertilization rates of dogs in peri‐urban ecosystems, with a focus on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) because of their evident effects on plant biodiversity. We used 487 direct‐count censuses over 1.5 years to collect accurate dog abundance data per hectare per year in four sites in peri‐urban forests and nature reserves in Belgium. Based on estimated dog densities and a systematic literature search of nutrient concentrations in urine and faeces, we calculate N and P fertilization rates from urine and faeces deposits, also propagating uncertainty and variability in these estimates. We find that canine N and P fertilization rates on average amount to 11 kg N (more or less equally from urine and faeces) and 5 kg P (predominantly from faeces) per hectare per year, respectively. These estimated amounts are substantial when compared to atmospheric inputs of N and extractable amounts via traditional nature management (e.g. mowing and hay removal). Our estimated dog N and P fertilization rates in peri‐urban forests and nature are substantial. Such levels of nutrient inputs may considerably influence biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, and co‐determine restoration outcomes. Our results underpin the need for managers and policy makers to more often (i) consider currently neglected nutrient inputs by dogs in management plans and restoration goals, (ii) communicate to dog walkers the role of their dog as ‘fertilizer’ and highlight the necessity to remove at least canine solid faecal waste, (iii) in sensitive oligotrophic ecosystems with species adapted to nutrient‐poor soils, establish nearby off‐leash dog parks, enforce the use of short leashes and/or apply dog bans such that high dog abundances can be avoided.

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“…muscle atrophy and hyperesthesia 12 . Research by Atwal et al 13 in adult dogs shown that excess dietary calcium does not lead to adverse health effects, which means that a deficiency in the diet should be of more concern. Secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP), osteodystrophy and osteopenia are common complications that can occur in animals consuming an unbalanced diet.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mineral and heavy metal content in dry dog foods with different main animal components

Kępińska-Pacelik

Biel

Witkowicz

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Dogs’ caregivers, mainly for economic reasons and easy availability, choose dry, over the counter diets (OTC). The mineral composition of OTC foods depends primarily on the components used in the production of the pet food. Regardless of the main component of the food, it must meet the recommended minimum mineral content, established by nutritional guidelines. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the mineral (Ca, K, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo) and heavy metal content (Pb, Co, Cd, Cr, Ni) using the methods of colorimetry and mass spectrometry, of OTC dry dog foods and to compare with the FEDIAF and AAFCO nutritional guidelines. Dry foods pose no risk to dogs in terms of heavy metal content. The worst results in term of mineral content were obtained in mixed foods, therefore it is worth considering feeding the dog a mono-protein food. The PCA analysis disproved our hypothesis and revealed that the main animal source did not statistically significantly affect the levels of minerals and their ratios. However, the analysis of contrasts confirms the differentiation of the content of individual minerals between the groups of foods. For the first time, we proved that pet food with a mineral composition similar to the MIN-RL may be characterized by unfavorable mineral ratios. When feeding dogs with extruded dry foods, supplementation with calcium may be necessary due to its deficiency in foods, especially in mixed foods, with components from at least two different types of animals.

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No Observed Adverse Effects on Health Were Detected in Adult Beagle Dogs When Fed a High-Calcium Diet for 40 Weeks

Cited by 4 publications

References 67 publications

Mineral and heavy metal content in dry dog foods with different main animal components

Mineral and heavy metal content in dry dog foods with different main animal components

Nutrient fertilization by dogs in peri‐urban ecosystems

Mineral and heavy metal content in dry dog foods with different main animal components

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