Pet Nutrition at OVC

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

02/11/2026

🐾 Constipated cat? 🐾 It’s more common than you think. If your kitty’s straining, skipping poops, or leaving behind hard stools, it could be a sign something’s wrong. Check out our latest blog post to learn all about feline constipation. From signs to watch for, to tips on prevention and when to call the vet, we’ve got you covered!

✨ Click the link to read more: https://brnw.ch/21wZRdy ✨

02/05/2026

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of our clinical trials? 👀🐾

Today we’re giving you a sneak peek at what data collection really looks like in an ongoing study led by the OVC Pet Nutrition team. This project is exploring the use of omega-3 supplementation (seal oil vs. salmon oil) to see how it may affect pain and mobility of dogs with osteoarthritis.

These photos capture one of our four-legged participants, Jasper, hard at work. As part of the study, Jasper participated in several key assessments, including gait analysis [photo 1] and range of motion assessments [photo 2], all with receiving some well-deserved love between procedures [photo 3].

Every visit, measurement, and wagging tail contributes valuable information to improving canine health!

👉 We’re still recruiting!
If you’re interested in learning more (or think your dog might be a good fit), complete the 15-20 minute online screening survey found at https://brnw.ch/21wZHiR

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

This clinical trial is supported by Mitacs, Seals and Sealing Network, Carino, Big Country Raw, and Petcurean

Ontario Veterinary College University of Guelph OVC Veterinary Clinical Trials

01/30/2026

🚨 REMINDER! 🚨 The OVC Pet Nutrition Team is looking to fill two summer student positions: Hill's Pet Nutrition Summer Student and the Nestlé Purina Petcare Summer Student Opportunity starting May 2026! 🐾


Wondering what this experience looks like day-to-day?

Our summer students from 2025 share their experiences in our blog 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wZwMW

For more info or to apply, head to Experience Guelph
Job IDs: 143591and 143592

01/28/2026

🐾 Join Our Team! Hill's Pet Nutrition Summer Student Opportunity 🐾

The OVC Clinical Nutrition Team at the University of Guelph is hiring a Hill's Pet Nutrition Summer Student! We are looking for a University of Guelph student who is passionate about pet nutrition and looking for a summer job 🌟

Responsibilities:
• Work with the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Weight Care Program and Clinical Nutrition team at OVC
• Shadow nutrition consults
• Conduct nutritional assessments and feed hospitalized patients
• Assist with graduate student research
• Create website and social media content

Requirements:
• UofG student in the BSc, DVM or veterinary technology program
• Passion for pets and nutrition
• Proof of positive rabies titer

Application Deadline: February 15, 2026
Apply via: Experience Guelph
Job ID: 143591

Don't miss this chance to make a difference in pet health! 🐶🐱

01/26/2026

🐾 Join Our Team! Nestlé Purina Petcare Summer Student Opportunity 🐾

Are you a University of Guelph student who is passionate about pet nutrition and looking for a summer job? The OVC Clinical Nutrition Team is hiring a Nestlé Purina Petcare Summer Student! 🌟

Responsibilities:
• Work with the Clinical Nutrition Service in the OVC Health Sciences Centre
• Shadow nutrition consults
• Conduct nutritional assessments and feed hospitalized patients
• Assist with graduate student research
• Create website and social media content

Requirements:
• UofG student in the DVM or veterinary technology program
• Passion for pets and nutrition
• Proof of positive rabies titer

Application Deadline: February 15, 2026
Apply via: Experience Guelph
Job ID: 143592

Don't miss this chance to make a difference in pet health! 🐶🐱