Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

February 27, 2004

Research Briefs

Fat cat
About 25 percent of dogs and cats are overweight, according to a new book on nutrient requirements of dogs and cats. The book, slated to come out this spring, was written by 10 animal nutrition experts, led by Don Beitz, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and animal science and biochemistry professor.

Beitz says a simple solution to pet obesity is to cut back what an overweight pet is fed to 90 percent.

"If you wish your pet to lose weight, energy intake needs to be cut back," Beitz said. "Ninety percent seems to be a good figure to maintain a reasonably happy pet and yet put the pet in a weight reduction mode."

About the book, Beitz said, "Our main function was to provide the latest information on the individual nutrients and energy required by dogs and cats at different stages of growth and physiological state and for the different breeds, some of which have highly divergent body weights."

View research grant opportunities online
Information about research funding opportunities is available online through the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Advanced Studies: http://grants-svr.admin.iastate.edu/Funding.

Questions about sponsored research may be directed to Sreeparna Mitra, director of grant development, 4-1538, e-mail: mitra@iastate.edu.