[Kzunell]

http://www.purina.com/science/research/DogMoreYears.aspx
http://www.pennhip.org/09230v7.pdf


The above link is a study of 48 labs and the effect of how much they were fed and longevity.

Kelly and Amber

 

[Bob Pr.]

THANK You!! THANK You!! THANK You!!

I happened to read this study (maybe in 2003?) in the JAVMA journal in KSU's CollVetMed library while waiting for my Lab in their Teaching Hospl.

I'm delighted to have a link-reference to this so I don't have to rely on memory. I've often mentioned this but couldn't recall exactly whether it was an 80% or 75% or 70% reduction (or what amount) in the food restricted group.

In your first link (I didn't read the 2nd one you gave) one thing was missing from what was cited in the original article -- the Labs on the restricted diet had (statistically) significant fewer medical/health problems throughout their lives than those among the free-feeding Labs (no big surprise -- when they live longer, they've usually been healthier).

Purina/ProPlan/Nestlé hasn't revised its recommended feeding amounts to correspond with this data although it was a team from this pet food mfr that conducted the study.

Instead, they seem to be relying on their "Body Condition System" ratings to advise dog owners on the proper shape and appearance of their dogs -- despite recommending feeding FAR more than ideal.

 

[imported_Top Of The Hill]

Very interesting. Knowing that joint laxity is what causes arthritis and that the Pennhip way measures this (whereas I don't believe OFA does) I'm surprised that Pennhip isn't used more.

 

[Kzunell]

I thought it was kind of interesting that they used the same dogs in two studies at the same time but it really does make sense. And actually I guess it was three studies. weight vs. longevity, weight vs. hip problems, Pennhip vs. OFA. The weight vs. longevity was also mirrored in teh other study I posted about longevity, so its good to see that they got alot of the same results.

Kelly and Amber

 

[Kzunell]

here is the link thread on the other study
http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/index.php/topic,37773.msg443517.html#msg443517