Todd's Metabolic Questions and Answers

Question 1

Body Condition scores can be used in any breed of dog how were they validated?

Answer 1

The original validation for the 9 point BCS in dogs was performed in 255 purbred laboratory dogs 77 Labrador Retrievers 42 German Pointers 110 English setters and 18 dogs classified as ‘other’. The average % body fat as determined by DEXA for male dogs with 9/9 BCS was 35% and for females was 43%. There were no bracycephalic or heavily muscled breeds in this study [Reference: Laflamme D. P. (1997). Development and validation of a body condition score system for dogs: A clinical tool. Canine Practice 22: 10-15.]

Question 2

Body Condition scores can be used in any breed of cat how were they validated?

Answer 2

The original validation for the 9 point BCS in cats was performed in 48 domestic shorthair laboratory cats. The average % body fat as determined by DEXA for a male with a BCS 8/9 (none were considered 9/9) was 39% and for a female 9/9 53%. There were no purebred cats in this study. Laflamme D. P. (1997). Development and validation of a body condition score system for cats: A clinical tool. Feline Practice 25: 13-18.

Question 3

Why does my clinic need to use HWP?

Answer 3

Recent studies have shown that using currently available methods 75% of feeding plans developed for weight loss were inaccurate. These plans led to overfeeding the pets with too many calories and as a result not achieving weight loss ? or worse - gaining weight. We need a more effective way to determine a pet?s ideal weight and with that create more effective weight loss feeding plans.

Question 4

Why should I be feeding to the pet?s ideal weight?

Answer 4

Simply put fat is like a stray dog if you feed it it will stay around forever. Feeding an overweight pet based on their current weight will provide too many calories. We must feed only the healthy pet inside not the fat. Using ideal weight to determine the correct food dose ensures they get right amount of calories to promote weight loss.

Question 5

What?s the Body Fat Index (BFI)?

Answer 5

A pet?s BFI simply refers to their current body fat percent. This new science was developed in partnership with the University of Tennessee and is a more effective way of connecting a pet?s body fat percentage to a meaningful number that can be shared with pet owners similar to BMI in humans.

Question 6

What are the Healthy Weight Protocol tools?

Answer 6

There are two tools that were developed by investigators at the University of Tennessee to more accurately determine ideal weight in overweight pets. The most accurate method is simple body measurements (morphometric measurements) which are entered into an online website or mobile app to caclulate ideal weight. Alternatively an expanded validated version of body conditioning The BFI risk chart may be used to estimated % body fat and ideal weigth.

Question 7

What are the body measurements (morphometric measurements)?

Answer 7

These simple body frame (morphometric) measurements were developed and validated by investigators at the University of Tennessee. They are an objective quantitative method of evaluating the severity of hyperadiposity (body fat) in overweigth pets. Using a tailors tape record four simple measurements for dogs and six measurements for cats. The measurements take about 1 « to 2 minutes to complete and only need to be done once.

Question 8

Why would I want to measure pets using the Healthy Weight Protocol Tools to determine their ideal weight?

Answer 8

In a word accuracy. This clinically proven method has been shown to be significantly more effective at determining an overweight pet?s ideal weight. Basing feeding recommendations on an accurate ideal weight is the first step to a successful weight loss plan.

Question 9

Can I use these tools in normal weight pets?

Answer 9

The Healthy Weight Protocol tools are only validated in overweight pets and should only be used to determine the severity of hyperadiposity (excess body fat accumulation) in pets who have been categorized as overweight based on the results of a Nutritional Assessment Screening Evaluation.

Question 10

When should I use the Healthy Weight Protocol Tools?

Answer 10

Based on recommedations from AAHA / WSAVA every pet should have a Nutritional Assessment at every visit. This screening evaluation includes a dietary history body weight and body/muscle condition score. Pets that are categorized as overweight based on this evaluation should have an extended evaluation which includes an accurate assessment of the severity of their hyperadiposity (excess body fat). Options include DEXA (dual xray absorptiometry) and the Healthy Weight Protocol tools (morphometric measurements or BFI Risk Chart assessment.

Question 11

What is the difference between BCS and the Healthy Weight Protocol Tools?

Answer 11

Body condition scoring is a subjective system based on visual assessment and palpation findings used to estimate body composition. Body condition scoring is an appropriate screening tool to determine if additional testing is needed to assess body composition. There are 2 commonly used scales (5 point and 9 point). Both scales have only been validated and are only accurate in pets with < 50% body fat. Both systems assume that pets with maximum scores (5/5 or 9/9) have a maximum of ~ 47% body fat. Once a pet has been assigned a BCS their ideal weight must be calcualated.

Question 12

What is the relationship between Body condition score and ideal weight

Answer 12

Body condition scores can be used to estimate percent body fat in dogs and cats. For an ideal BCS (4?5/9 or 3/5) percentage body fat averages 20% and ranges from 15% to 25% of body weight. With the 9-point scale each 1-point change from ideal represents an increase or decrease of 5% body fat. With the 5-point scale each point represents a 10% change. Studies have shown that the correlation between BCS and percentage of body fat is only significant for pets with 45% body fat or less.

Question 13

What is the BFI Risk Chart?

Answer 13

The BFI Risk Chart is a new way to assess a patient?s body composition. It?s similar to the BCS charts you have used for years but with some important differences: 1) Increased accuarcy because it is validated in pets with 65% body fat 2) Incorporates expanded validated descriptors and updated imagery 3) Unlike traditional BCS provides an easy method to determine the pet’s ideal weight (no math required) 4) Changes the coversation with the owner from stigmatized language (overweight / obese) to a discussion of health risks

Question 14

Which tool should I use to assess an overweight patient the Body Measurements or the BFI Risk Chart ?

Answer 14

If possible we recommend using the Body Measurements and the Online / Mobile App tool to determine ideal weight for your overweight pets. This is the most accurate method available and because it is an objective quantitative evaluation clients will be more willing to accept the results. In those cases where body measurements are not possible we recommend using the BFI Risk Chart.

Question 15

Can I use the Healthy Weight Protocol Tools (body measurements or BFI Risk Chart) on all pets?

Answer 15

No ? the body measurements and BFI Risk chart were developed for and only validated in overweight pets. After performing the Nutritional Assessment Screening Evaluation which includes; diet history body weigth and body / muscle condition scoring it is appropriate to use the Healthy Weight Protocol tools to determine the severity of hyperadiposity in pets with body condition scores greater than normal (> 3/5 or > 5/9). These tools are not intended for use in pregnant or lactating females.

Question 16

Can I use the HWP tools in pets of all ages?

Answer 16

No. The morphometric measurements have been validated in pets over 1 year of age and are not intended for use in puppies kittens or geriatric animals with significant muscle mass loss. The BFI risk chart is a better choice for geriatric animals with significant muscle mass loss.

Question 17

Do the Healthy Weight Protocol tools work on all breeds of cats and dogs?

Answer 17

Unlike traditional body condition scoring systems the Healthy Weight Protocol tools (body measurements and BFI Risk chart) have been validated in a wide range of breeds including brachycephalicdogs (Boston Terrier French Bulldog Pug) and cats (Burmese) chondrodysplastic (Bassett Hound Daschund Corgi) and a wide range of sizes (Chihuahua to BullMastiff) and heavily muscled dogs (Pit Bull Terriers).

Question 18

Will using the HWP tools to estimate ideal weight increase the risk of hepatic lipidosis in cats?

Answer 18

In regards to development of hepatic lipidosis from SACN V pg 528-529:Restricting calories for DER at optimal weight of a cat by more than 70% effectively makes caloric intake less than RER because DER for neutered adult cats is only 1.2 to 1.4 x RER. RER represents a theoretical minimum for daily energy consumption for cats because of the risk for hepatic lipidosis (Biourge et al 1994). However experimental and clinical trials using caloric restrictions between 59 and 80% of RER produced acceptable rates of weight loss in overweight cats with no biochemical evidence of hepatic lipidosis (Markwell et al 1996). Thus when feeding
obese cats for weight loss be sure they are eating at least 50% of their estimated food dose to prevent development of hepatic lipidosis. A weight loss goal of 0.5 to 1% per week is safer. Drs Becvarova Hutchinson and Witzel all agree that it is difficult to create hepatic lipidosis in client owned cats with a weight loss program as long as the cat is EATING THE THERAPUETIC FOOD.

Question 19

When you calculate a cat?s ideal body weight do you feed to the weight right away or go down step-wise?

Answer 19

See discussion on hepatic lipidosis. As long as the owners are monitoring food intake and the transition from the current food to the therapeutic weight loss food (Metabolic or others) is successful (ie the cat is eating 80-90% of the food that is offered) there is very little risk of hepatic lipidosis even if the amount of food that is offered is based on the ideal weight rather than an intermediate ‘target’ weight. Most obese cats maintain their current weight on very few calories (relative to their size). Using ideal body weight to calculate food dose allows you to feed the normal cat inside and not the fat. Remember fat is like a stray dog…if you feed it it is yours forever.

Question 20

What is the easiest way to measure the body length in cats?

Answer 20

A tip from the technicians at the PNC. Start at the base of the tail and finish at the nose.

Question 21

The Morphometric Measurement predicted ideal weight seems too low. Why might that happen?

Answer 21

The morphometric measurements predict ideal weight based on what the pet should weigh if their body composition was ‘ideal’ which is defined as having 20% body fat 80% lean muscle mass. Studies at the University of Tennessee confirm that the morphometric measurements preidict ideal body weight within 10% of the DEXA predicted ideal body weight in ~ 80% of pets. That means that for ~ 20% of pets the morphometric measurement predicted ideal weight will be more than 10% different from DEXA predicted ideal body weight. In this subset of dogs the morphometric measurment tool is more likely to underestimate ideal body weight and the BFI risk chart is more likely to overestimate ideal body weight.

Question 22

How dose the online tool calculate the food dose?

Answer 22

The online tool used the ideal weight (as determined by the entered body measurement values or based in the entered % Body Fat as determined by the BFI Risk Chart assessment). Calories per day are calculated based on the following formulas (same as used in the Feeding Guide Software). For weight loss the formulas are: Dogs 1.0 X RER for ideal weight; Cats 0.8 x RER for ideal weight. Remember that these are always just starting points. Cats losing weight on Metabolic started eating 0.8XRER for ideal weight and finished the study eating on average 0.7xRER for ideal weight. This is true for dogs as well. To maximize the rate of weight loss the food dose may need to be adjusted.

Question 23

What should I do if the Morphometric Measurement predicted seems too low?

Answer 23

Since the morphometric measurements may underestimate ideal weight in ~ 20% of pets the next step should be to determine ideal weight by using the BFI Risk Chart. If the predicted ideal weights are close then it is likely that the DVM has overestimated ‘normal’ in this pet and the predicted ideal weight should be used to calculate the starting food dose. If the BFI risk chart predicted ideal weight is higher than the morphometric measurement predicted ideal weight and closer to what the DVM considers ‘normal’ that value should be used to calculate the starting food dose. It is always better to start with a lower ideal body weight / food dose. If the pet is losing weight too rapidly or displaying signs of excessive hungar the food dose can be increased.

Question 24

If a pet is not losing weight on Metabolic how should the DVM adjust the dose of food?

Answer 24

Based on information from SACN V (pg 529): If weight loss is close to 0.5% per week but the
clinician would like to increase the rate of weight loss then decrease the dose of food
(calories) by 10%. If the weight has not decreased or the pet has gained weight
then decrease the dose of food (calories) by 20%. The food dose (calories) should
not be decreased below 0.5 x RER for ideal weight. Dr. Angela Witzel’s response : If a pet is eating 0.8 x RER and not losing weight at all decrease the food dose by 10 - 20% to 0.7 - 0.6 x RER for ideal weight but do not decrease food dose to less than 0.5 X RER for ideal weight. If this level of restriction is necessary consider consulting a Veterinary Nutritionist

Question 25

How does Metabolic work?

Answer 25

Hill's Pet Nutrition uses the most advanced technologies to understand how nutrients can help shift unhealthy (obese) gene expression to healthy (lean) gene expression. We have used this information to select the synergistic blend of ingredients in the Hill's Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution products. Clinical studies confirm that the nutrition in Hill's Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution works with each pet?s unique metabolic response activating the body?s natural ability to burn excess body fat and affect calorie utilization.

Question 26

Is it okay to feed my pet canned food and treats along with this food?

Answer 26

Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution is available in canned dry and treats for both dogs and cats. The efficacy of the product has not been evaluated where it is not the sole source of food. To provide maximum benefit and to maintain the metabolic changes pets should be fed only Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution products.

Question 27

Other weight loss products have caused an increase in my pet?s stool volume. Should I expect the same with Metabolic?

Answer 27

While the fiber sources are different the total dietary fiber content of Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution products is similar to the amount in Prescription Diet r/d products so we would expect that the stool volume would be about the same ÿor less as on r/d. This may represent an increase in stool volume if the pet was previously eating a lower fiber food.

Question 28

I have multiple cats in my household. Do I need to separate my overweight cat from the others when feeding?

Answer 28

Metabolic is safe to feed in multiple cat households. Metabolic has passed an AAFCO feeding trial for adult maintanence in both cats and dogs. This food is not recommended to be fed to kittens or puppies

Question 29

How do you know that the pet will not regain weight once ideal weight is achieved?

Answer 29

As long as the pet remains on Metabolic our clinical evidence indicates that the pet will not regain the weight that was lost. Overweight pets at the Pet Nutrition Center that lost weight on Metabolic were able to maintain their weight for 4 months while eating ~ 50% more calories that were required for weight loss.

Question 30

You claim that Metabolic is unique because it ?contains a synergistic blend of nutrients and ingredients that optimizes gene expression pathways and help change the unhealthy metabolism in overweight pets to be more like the healthy metabolism in lean pets.? In the past you told us that r/d contains a ?unique combination of lysine carnitine and soluble fiber to modify metabolism from fat storing to fat burning.? So how are these modes of action different from one another?

Answer 30

At the time r/d Canine was reformulated we were just beginning to understand the power of nutrigenomics and were building our database of nutrients that can alter gene expression. Gene expression changes were seen in dogs eating r/d Canine and weight loss was improved over the previous formula however r/d Canine is not indicated for maintanence feeding. Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution was designed 'from the ground up' rather than as an upgrade to the current r/d formula. Scientists at the Pet Nutrition Center used information from Nutrigenomic Studies to select specific nutrients to help change the unhealthy gene expression of overweight pets to the healthy metabolism of lean pets a much broader approach to addressing long term weight management compared to upgraded r/d Canine. Unlike r/d Canine Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution is not a low fat food and does not meet the AAFCO definition of 'light'. Unlike r/d Canine Metabolic can be used for both weight loss and weight maintenance.

Question 31

How are the modes of action different between Metabolic and m/d?

Answer 31

m/d Feline is a high protein low carbohydrate food that takes advantage of cat's natural ability to use protein as an energy source. The nutrients / ingredients in m/d Feline were not selected based on Nutrigenoimic studies and no studies have been done to assess gene expression changes in cats fed m/d Feline for weight loss or weight maintenance. In the development of Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution Hill's Pet Nutrition used the most advanced technologies to understand how nutrients can help shift unhealthy (obese) gene expression to healthy (lean) gene expression.This information was used to select the synergistic blend of ingredients in the Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution products. Clinical studies confirm that the nutrition in Hill's Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution works with each pet?s unique metabolic response activating the body?s natural ability to burn excess body fat and affect calorie utilization. Metabolic is neither a high protein or low carbohydrate food and while it does not meet the AAFCO definition of 'light' it is less calorie dense than m/d feline. It has also been used sucessfully in multicat households.

Question 32

What if a client does not want to keep their pet on Metabolic after the weight loss is achieved?

Answer 32

The pets in our clinical studies regained weight when they were taken off of Metabolic and placed back onto the control food. We recommend that the pet stay on Metabolic for optimal results.

Question 33

What is the recommended follow up protocol when I place a patient on Metabolic?

Answer 33

We recommend a follow up phone call in 3 days to ensure the transitionÿis going well. Pets should be weighed at least monthly until ideal weight is achieved. After ideal weight is achieved the dose of food should be increased by 10-20% increments and the pet should be weighed monthly for 2-3 months or until a maintenance feeding dose that will maintain the pet at the ideal weight has been determined

Question 34

When should DVMs choose r/d w/d or m/d for weight loss in pets?

Answer 34

Metabolic Advance Weight Solution is the best choice for overweight/obese pets that are otherwise healthy. It is the only product that provides a solution for both weight loss and weight maintenance in dogs and cats. If pets have concurrent / comorbid conditions and need to loose weight (Fiber Responsive GI Diseases Diabetes Hyperlipidemia) then it may be more appropriate to select r/d w/d or m/d since these products have been shown to be effective in pets with these conditions.

Question 35

Is Metabolic contraindicated in pets with Diabetes Mellitus

Answer 35

There are no specific contradindications for use of Metabolic in pets with Diabetes. If weight loss is the primary goal of management of Diabetes Metabolic may be the best choice since it is the most effective product we have on the market.

Question 36

Is Metabolic contraindicated in pets with Fiber Responsive Diseases

Answer 36

There are no specific contradindications for use of Metabolic in pets with Fiber Responsive Diseases. If weight loss is the primary goal of management for these pets Metabolic may be the best choice since it is the most effective product we have on the market. The choice of food in these pets should be based on the individual pets response to fiber. The total fiber content of Metabolic products is similar to r/d products (but different sources).

Question 37

Is Metabolic contraindicated in pets with hyperlipidemia.

Answer 37

The fat content of Metabolic is higher than for our traditional weight loss products. This may limit the usefulness of Metabolic in pets with hyperlipidemia. The choice of food in these pets should be based on the individual pet's response to fat levels.

Question 38

Why are there 2 groups of dogs and 2 groups of cats in these studies?

Answer 38

In the US we are required to have 2 separate studies which document the same outcome to make a Clinically Proven Claim. All studies conducted at the PNC which are designed to support the Clinically Proven Claim are done in tandem. So for the Metabolic weight loss no regain studies in dogs and cats there were actually 4 total studies 2 10 dog and 2 10 cat studies. The studies were conducted at the same time (using different animals) and are treated as separate studies with regard to statistics etc. That is why there are 2 lines on the graphs for body fat loss in dogs and cats.

Question 39

How were the ingredients for the synergystic blend selected?

Answer 39

Scientists at the PNC screen large numbers of nutrients. For the development of Metabolic they asked the computer database which nutrients had the desired effects on gene expression. The computer provided a comprehensive list of potential candiates. The specific ingredients used to deliver the synergistic blend of nutritients were selected based on their taste impact supply chain availability impact on cost and global regulatory approvals for use in pet foods. Not all of the potential candidates were ingredients that are currently approved for use in pet foods.

Question 40

Is it safe to feed cats with 50-60% body fat at 0.7-0.8 x RER for ideal weight? Is there a risk of hepatic lipidosis

Answer 40

Dr. Angela Witzel's response: All of the cats enrolled in the UT study to validate the HWP safely lost weight using a starting food dose of 0.7-0.8 x RER for ideal weight. Many of these cats were morbidly obese. I am currently working with a cat with 60% body fat cat and having to feed at about 75% ideal RER (0.75 x RER for ideal weight) for weight loss. This is where it would be important for vets to emphasize weight rechecks and monitor the rate of loss. If the cat is falling somewhere between 0.5-2% its all good. I find these large cats move so little and have such a slow metabolic rate that they absolutely have to be restricted or they won't lose anything.

Question 41

If a pet is losing weight but acts very hungry while on Metabolic what should the owner do?

Answer 41

Even with the most accurate tools to determine ideal body weight the initial food dose for weight loss is always just a starting point. Every pet is unique. If the rate of weight loss is 1-2% of starting body weight per week it is appropriate to increase the feeding dose (calories) by 10-20% and reasses. If weight loss continues and begging behavior ceases then continue at this dose until the pet reaches ideal weight. If the behavior does not change with an increase in food dose it becomes important to determine if the behaviors respresent true hunger vs attention seeking. One way to help differentiate is to have the owners respond to the behavior with something other than food consistantly. This will take time and patience from the owners. If the pet is accustomed to recieving food when they exhibit a particular behavior it may take weeks to months to alter that behavior. Initially pets may exhibit an extinction response whereby they increase the behavoirs (become really annoying). This usually indicates they are just about to 'give up' as long as the behavior is not rewarded.

Question 42

The Evidence Based Clinical Nutrition article states: Matabolic Advanced Weight Solution canine works naturally to promote healthy gene expression changes. This is exemplified by the lowering of the expression of key metabolic genes such as the TSHB PCTP and CA1. Is this description correct? If genes such as TSHB PCTP and CA1 are down regulated is metabolic rate decreased?

Answer 42

The changes seen with Metabolic are not just 'increasing gene expression to increase metabolism'. The changes seen with Metabolic are more about the pets having 'healthy' gene expression rather than the unhealthy gene expression that is seen in obese pets. The relationship between gene expression and 'healthy' metabolism which is the best way to describe what happens when pets eat Metabolic it is not simply a matter of turning up some genes. It is equally important to decrease the expression of genes that have abnormally increased expression as a result of the pet being obese. For example PCTP is increased in obese animals. When the expression of PCTP is increased animals have decreased sensitivity to insulin. When the expression of this gene is decreased animals have increased sensitivity to insulin and more efficient brown fat mediated thermogenesis (which just means they have 'increased' ability to burn fat as energy) both of which are beneficial to pets undergoing weight loss. For CA1 inhibition of the enzymes this gene codes for may be beneficial in weight loss. The decreased expression of this gene in pets eating metabolic decreases the production of these enzymes. Obese patients given CA1 inhibitors which decrease the activity of these enzymes have been shown to lose weight. The mechanism of action is unknown. For TSH beta the benefit of reducing the expression has to do with the relationship between TSH beta and leptin secretion. Leptin should regulate appetite the higher the leptin the more decreased the appetite but in obese patients (humans and animals) leptin levels are high and appetite is not suppressed. One explanation for this apparent paradox is that in some situations leptin signaling can cause desensitization particularly when levels are elevated for a significant period of time and that only after leptin signaling is reduced for a period can the system resensitize. The beneficial effect of lowering TSH beta may be that it lowers the concentrations of leptin and allows the body to 'reset' the sensitivity to leptin which will then help regulate appetite in these obese pets.

Question 43

What do I answer a KTL when they ask How did we arrive at 4 and 6 measurements for HWP? Why those measurements? What's their accuracy ?

Answer 43

The investigators at UT (Witzel Kirk and Toll) developed the mathematical algorithms and validated the calculations for the estimation of ideal body weight based on the morphometric measurements. Initial studies included ~ 15 body measurements in both dogs and cats. Based on the proprietary mathematical calculations it was determined that 6 measurements in cats and 4 measurements in dogs provided estimates of ideal body weight in 80% of pets that were within 10% of the ideal body weight as determined by DEXA. Basically they (the computer) plugged various combinations and permutations of measurements into the mathematical formulas (which are proprietary and will not be made public). They compared the ideal body weight determined by each of these combinations / permutations with the DEXA result for each individual. The combination of measurements that 1) was practical for use in general practice and 2) most closely predicted ideal body weight compared to DEXA for the population were chosen. For example in a pilot study with the morphometric measurement it was decided to delete the use of calipers to determine foot pad width. Although using this measurement in a controlled study with experienced users increased accuracy when general practitioners tried to use this measurement there was significant confusion on how much pressure to apply to the calipers. This measurement was very sensitive to error so small differences in the amount of pressure used to determine the measurement caused wide variations in the estimation of ideal body weight. Therefore this measurement was deemed not practical for use in general practice.

Question 44

How can we say Metabolic regulates appetite and also recommend feeding it long term for maintanence?

Answer 44

``` One of the gene expression changes seen in pets losing weight while eating Metabolic is related to the control of Leptin (see discussion on TSHb above). Leptin is the primary signal for appetite regulation (at least the only 'stop' signal all the others tell us to eat). In overweight people and animals leptin levels are increased but so is appetite. Increased leptin should decrease appetite. This paradox is explained by a theory that with obesity the leptin receptors become desensitized to the leptin signal so there is no appetite regulation. Our studies suggest pets eating Metabolic will have increased sensitivity to leptin (based on changes in TSHb levels and Leptin levels) and that along with the changes in PYY (Gut brain signals for satiety) appetite control 'returns to normal'. This is different from suppressing appetite (like Slentrol). That is why Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution products can be used for both for weight loss and weight maintenance. ```

Question 45

Some pets are 'genetically' predisposed to gain weight. Will Metabolic help them?

Answer 45

The studies conducted by scientists at the Pet Nutrition Center were not designed to identify genetic markers that increase the risk of pet's becoming obese. The studies at the Pet Nutrition Center are designed to understand how gene expression differs in normal lean pets with 'healthy' metabolism compared to overweight pets with 'unhealthy' metabolism. Any pet can become overweight when they consume more calories than they use over a sustained period of time. Our studies show that pets who lost weight eating Metabolic had gene expression profiles that more closely resembled the 'healthy' lean gene expression profile independent of any genetic predisposition for weight gain.

Question 46

Can we feed Metabolic as a way to prevent obesity?

Answer 46

Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution has passed AAFCO feeding trials for adult maintanence in both dogs and cats so it is a good choice for adult pets. No studies have been specifically designed to determine if feeding Metabolic to normal weight pets long term will prevent the development of obesity. No studies have been done to assess the changes (if any) in gene expression in normal weight pets before and after eating Metabolic. As with any food the amount of Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution products fed to any individual pet for weight maintanence should be adjusted based on changes in weight.