Pet Nutrition at OVC

10/21/2026

This week for we're sharing tips for keeping your pup physically active 🦮🐾

Daily walks, play sessions, and enrichment activities can help maintain a healthy weight and support overall wellbeing. Every step counts! 💙



Before making big changes to your dog's exercise routine, it's always best to check in with your veterinarian 🩺

10/16/2026

🌟 Exciting Opportunity! 🌟

The OVC Pet Nutrition Team in the Department of Clinical Studies at the University of Guelph is excited to announce an opening for a Doctor of Veterinary Science (DVSc) position in Companion Animal Nutrition beginning August 2026!

An OVC DVSc scholarship generously supported by Royal Canin is available for this position. The program is designed to provide advanced clinical training and research experience, aiming to meet the requirements for eligibility for the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition 🐾

Apply now: applications are only considered through the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program VIRMP (https://brnw.ch/21x6sKo)

University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College

10/15/2026

My pet is overweight... what should I do?🐾

Finding out your pet is overweight can feel overwhelming, but the good news is that you're not alone, and even small changes can make a big difference.

The first step is to work with your veterinary team to determine your pet's ideal weight and develop a personalized weight-loss plan. Avoid drastically reducing food or increasing exercise without veterinary guidance, as healthy weight loss should be gradual and balanced.

Some simple ways to get started:
✔️Measure every meal accurately
✔️Minimize treats
✔️Increase activity gradually
✔️Schedule regular weigh-ins with your veterinary team

Maintaining a healthy body weight is one of the most important things you can do to support your pet's long-term health and quality of life.

10/05/2026

10/01/2026

🐾 October is Pet Obesity Awareness Month! 🐾

Did you know that maintaining a healthy body weight is one of the most important things you can do to support your dog's health and quality of life?

Throughout October, we'll be sharing practical, evidence-based tips to help dog owners prevent and manage obesity through nutrition, exercise, enrichment, and regular monitoring.

This year's theme is:

🦴 Move More, Feed Smart: Helping Dogs Stay Healthy for Life

Over the next month, we'll cover:
✅ How to tell if your dog may be overweight
✅ What to do if your pet needs to lose weight
✅ Fun ways to increase activity beyond daily walks
✅ Hidden calories lurking in treats and table scraps
✅ Common myths and facts about pet obesity

Small changes can make a big difference.

Whether your dog is a growing puppy, an active adult, or a senior companion, healthy habits can help support lifelong wellness.

Follow along throughout October for tips, quizzes, myth-busting posts, and practical tools you can use at home.

🐕 What's one healthy habit you and your dog already enjoy together? Let us know in the comments!

09/24/2026

🌍🐱🐶 The OVC Pet Nutrition Team had a fantastic time at the European Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (ESVCN) Congress 2026 in Naples, Italy, from September 16-18!

We were proud to have a strong University of Guelph presence, with team members showcasing innovative research in companion animal nutrition and health:

🎤 Dr. Manuela Fischer (DVSc Candidate and ECVCN Resident) presented her research on the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii on the feline f***l microbiome in response to acute stress.

🎤 Dr. Laura Teeger (DVSc Student and ECVCN Resident) presented her research examining the choline content of over-the-counter and veterinary therapeutic diets for cats as well as a case report on nutritional management of protein-losing enteropathy in a Yorkshire terrier.

🎤 Shawna Morrow (PhD Candidate) delivered an oral presentation on pet guardian knowledge and perspectives regarding post-operative nutrition and physical rehabilitation care at OVC and also presented a poster highlighting findings from her survey on understanding pet guardian health and nutrition practices and canine nutritional care.

📌 Brooklynn Liversidge (PhD Candidate) presented a poster investigating pet guardian perceptions for marine oil supplementation in dogs.

🎤 Dr. Hannah Godfrey (Postdoctoral Fellow) presented her PhD research examining changes in the feline serum metabolome in response to diets with different macronutrient content.

🏆 A special congratulations to Dr. Laura Teeger, recipient of the Best ECVCN Residency Class Case Report Award and the Purina Cat Nutrition Award for her outstanding presentations!

It was also wonderful to connect with the broader University of Guelph community, with past and present students coming together to celebrate research, collaboration, and advances in veterinary nutrition.

Congratulations to everyone who represented OVC and the University of Guelph so exceptionally on the international stage! 👏

09/02/2026

📢 New research alert! 🐾

Our team at the OVC Pet Nutrition Research Lab has just published the paper titled Serum metabolomics reveals impaired fatty acid oxidation and elevated one-carbon demand in cats fed a low-protein diet compared to a low-fat or low-carbohydrate diet" in the Journal of Nutrition. 📚

Using advanced metabolomics techniques, we investigated how dietary protein, fat, and carbohydrate levels influence metabolism in lean and obese cats. Our findings suggest that reducing dietary protein and increasing dietary fat may place greater demands on important metabolic pathways involved in fatty acid oxidation and one-carbon metabolism. 🐈‍⬛

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/21x5nMv



Ontario Veterinary College Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Champion Petfoods

08/27/2026

🌟 Summer Research Highlight! 🌟
This summer, our students Quincey, Meghna, and Noah showcased their research at the Ontario Veterinary College's Summer Career Opportunities & Research Exploration (SCORE) program.
SCORE provides students with hands-on research experience while highlighting the important role research plays in advancing veterinary medicine and animal health.

Here’s a look at their work:
🔹 Quincey explored omega-3 sources and formulation strategies in commercial joint health pet foods.
🔹 Meghna investigated weight management communication and documentation practices among veterinary professionals in Ontario
🔹 Noah analyzed the choline content in commercial feline diets

👏 Congratulations to all three students on their outstanding work and presentations. Your curiosity, dedication, and contributions made for an incredible summer of research!

And a special thank you to Hill's Pet Nutrition and Nestle Purina Canada for funding for our summer student positions 🐾


Ontario Veterinary College Purina Hill’s Pet Nutrition

08/20/2026

🍽 Tasty Tidbits: Lysine!

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

Role in the Body:
Lysine is an indispensable amino acid that is involved in the formation of collagen!

✅ Sources:
• Animal-based: Pork, fish, eggs
• Plant-based: Soy, nuts, lentils

💡 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 appetite, weight loss, poor skin and coat health
• Excess: No toxic levels reported. In dogs, excess lysine causes growth depression and an arginine deficiency.

Balanced nutrition = a happy, healthy pet! 🐶🐱

👉 Learn more in our full blog post: https://brnw.ch/21x54LO

08/15/2026

🦎 Happy World Lizard Day! 🦎

Today we're celebrating one of the world's most beloved reptile companions—the bearded dragon!

Did you know that proper nutrition goes far beyond choosing the right insects and greens? UVB lighting, temperature, hydration, and calcium supplementation all play critical roles in keeping bearded dragons healthy and helping them live long, active lives.

Learn how to build a balanced diet, avoid common nutrition mistakes, and prevent health problems such as metabolic bone disease and obesity in our latest blog.

🔗 Read the full article: https://ovcpetnutrition.uoguelph.ca/2026/08/15/bearded-dragon-nutrition-feeding-your-dragon-for-a-long-healthy-life/
🎉 Celebrate World Lizard Day by giving your dragon the best care possible.