Pet Nutrition at OVC

04/22/2026

🍽 Tasty Tidbits: Histidine!

Welcome to our monthly series where we break down key nutrients for your pet’s health. This month’s spotlight: Histidine!

Role in the Body:

Histidine is an essential amino acid that has an important structural role in proteins.

✅ Sources:
• Animal-based: Poultry, fish, eggs
• Plant-based: Soybeans, peas, oats

💡 How Much?
Needs vary by life stage—growing pets or those reproducing require more. Choose a complete and balanced diet for optimal health.

⚠️ Watch Out:
• Deficiency: Reduced or impaired growth, weight loss, loss of appetite
• Excess: No toxic levels reported

Balanced nutrition = a happy, healthy pet! 🐶🐱

👉 Learn more in our full blog post: https://brnw.ch/21x1PCK

04/15/2026

Do you have a dog suffering from osteoarthritis?

If so, we want to help! A new study from our team seeks to evaluate the health effects of seal oil versus salmon oil in dogs with osteoarthritis.

Dog food and supplements will be provided for over 4 months! For more information, complete the 15-20 minute online screening survey found at https://brnw.ch/21x1Ctc

This project has been reviewed by the Research Ethics Board for compliance with federal guidelines for research involving human participants(REB 23-09-013). All experimental procedures for this study are approved by the University of Guelph Animal Care Committee (AUP #5093).

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Brooklynn Liversidge at bliversi@uoguelph.ca

04/11/2026

Happy National Pet Day! 🐾

Today, we’re celebrating the companions who bring so much joy to our lives and recognizing the important role nutrition plays in helping them thrive 🐈‍⬛🐶

Give your pet an extra cuddle today (and maybe a treat, too)!

04/07/2026

🎙️ New Podcast Episode Alert!
We’re excited to share that two members of the OVC Pet Nutrition Lab joined the latest episode of Vet Sessions to talk all things canine and feline obesity.

🐾 Dr. Hannah Godfrey, Post-Doctoral Fellow
🐾 Shawna Morrow, PhD Student

Together, they dive into emerging research, practical strategies, and what new findings mean for improving the health, well-being, and longevity of our companion animals.

If you’re interested in clinical nutrition, current weight management research, or supporting pets in achieving healthier lives, this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Tune in here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6PFwGVUO4kCymeKg9eqJ0J?si=43edd140cefa4bfb&nd=1&dlsi=e81749ad92eb4613

Enjoy the episode and let us know your favourite takeaway! 🐶🐱💡

Vet Sessions · Episode

03/26/2026

📢 New research alert! 🐾 Our team at the OVC Pet Nutrition Research Lab has just published a new article titled “Circulating lipid profiles and post-prandial glucose and insulin in response to dietary macronutrient composition in lean and obese cats” in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 📚

Head to our blog to read about the highlights of our findings and their implications for the future of pet nutrition research, and a link to the full article! 🔬 https://brnw.ch/21x14Pu

OVC, Champion Petfoods, NSERC, Mitacs

We are excited to announce a new publication! Dr. Hannah Godfrey and colleagues recently published their new article “Circulating lipid profiles and post-prandial glucose and insulin in response to…

03/18/2026

🍽 Tasty Tidbits: Arginine!

Welcome to our monthly series where we break down key nutrients for your pet’s health. This month's spotlight: Arginine!

Role in the Body:
Arginine is an essential amino acid that supports protein synthesis and elicits the release of hormones

✅ Sources:
• Animal-based: Red meats, dairy, eggs
• Plant-based: Whole grains, legumes

💡 How Much?
Needs vary by life stage—growing pets or those reproducing require more. Choose a complete and balanced diet for optimal health.

⚠️ Watch Out:
• Deficiency: Hyperammonemia, vomiting, lethargy, reduced appetite
• Excess: May lead to impaired growth

Balanced nutrition = a happy, healthy pet! 🐶🐱

👉 Learn more in our full blog post: https://brnw.ch/21x0QC1

03/11/2026

🐶 Could your dog benefit from weight loss?
We want to help! A new study from our team seeks to explore how a structured, home-based physical activity program can support weight management and improve mobility in adult dogs with chronic obesity.

Dogs who qualify will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:
1) Diet + exercise: A structured physical activity plan combined with a weight loss diet.
2) Diet only: A weight loss diet only.

🐾Who Can Participate?
• Dogs ≥1 years old
• Healthy apart from chronic obesity (body condition score ≥ 7/9)
• Tolerate wearing an activity monitor
• Sufficient mobility

What’s in it for you?
This study is generously supported by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Pet food is provided by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Dog kibble and treats will be provided for the duration of the study (124 days) at no charge. Participants in the study will receive blood work results, physical examination, urinalysis, range of motion and mobility assessment, DXA scan and a 4-month weight management program for their pet free of charge.

For more information, complete the 15-20 minute online screening survey found at https://brnw.ch/21x0Ekx

Disclosure: Dr. Verbrugghe is the Royal Canin Endowed Chair in Canine and Feline Clinical Nutrition at OVC. She also serves on industrial advisory boards and has received research funding and honoraria from pet food industry.

This project has been reviewed by the Research Ethics Board for compliance with federal guidelines for research involving human participants (REB 2156). All experimental procedures for this study are approved by the University of Guelph Animal Care Committee (AUP 5396).
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Ontario Veterinary College University of Guelph OVC Veterinary Clinical Trials

03/04/2026

🐾 New Publication Alert for Veterinary Professionals!
Managing feline obesity isn’t just about cutting calories—it’s about maintaining nutrient balance.

Our recent publication, “Ex vivo energy restriction in obese cats reveals more amino acids and vitamin intakes below recommendations with over-the-counter compared to veterinary weight-loss diets” in the American Journal of Veterinary Research reveals that over-the-counter diets may fall short on essential nutrients during weight loss, while veterinary weight-loss diets perform better.

📚 Head to our blog to read about the highlights of our findings and their implications for the future of pet nutrition research and a link to the full article! 🔬 https://brnw.ch/21x0s11

📚 Stay informed. Keep cats healthy.

02/27/2026

We’re proud to share that our DVSc Candidate and ECVCN Resident, Dr. Laura Teeger, had the incredible opportunity to visit Royal Canin headquarters in the South of France for their annual Nutritionists’ Week 🐾.

From R&D insights to hands-on workshops in formulation, processing, and ingredient science, this experience offered valuable learning and meaningful collaboration.

Thank you to Royal Canin for opening your doors and providing such an immersive learning experience in pet nutrition science. Opportunities like this help shape the next generation of veterinary nutrition experts, and we’re grateful to be part of it!

02/19/2026

Did you miss our very own Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe on CTV News discussing sweet Leo's weight loss journey at the Hill's Pet Weight Care Centre in Ontario Veterinary College?

You can watch the full interview below:

There’s a new resource for pet owners looking to get their beloved furry friends from hefty to healthy.Subscribe to CTV News to watch more videos: https://ww...

02/19/2026

Leo's journey at Ontario Veterinary College is in the news! Check out the story below:

Obesity in pets is becoming increasingly common, but a new OVC program is offering hope by combining technology, diet planning, and rehabilitation

02/18/2026

🍽 Tasty Tidbits: Protein!

Welcome to our monthly series where we break down key nutrients for your pet’s health. This month’s spotlight: Protein!

Role in the Body:
Protein is an essential building block for your pet’s body—supporting growth, repair, and maintenance of muscles, organs, fur, and nails.

✅ Sources:
• Animal-based: Chicken, beef, eggs
• Plant-based: Soybeans, lentils, quinoa

💡 How Much?
Needs vary by life stage—growing pets or those reproducing require more. Choose a complete and balanced diet for optimal health.

⚠️ Watch Out:
• Deficiency: Muscle loss, poor coat, weakened immunity
• Excess: Kidney strain, bone growth issues

Balanced nutrition = a happy, healthy pet! 🐶🐱

👉 Learn more in our full blog post: https://brnw.ch/21x03GV