Protein and fibre for weight loss in obese dogs

Controlled trial

A higher-fibre formulation was associated with greater weight loss in obese dogs, but this was a matched-group comparison.

German AJ; Holden SL; Bissot T; Morris PJ; Biourge V · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Mildly cooked vegan diets: canine digestion and stool measurements

Controlled trial

The two vegan foods tested were digestible, but this short comparison cannot establish lifelong nutritional outcomes.

Roberts LJ; Oba PM; Swanson KS · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Bacillus subtilis ATCC PTA-122264 in healthy dogs

Controlled trial

Most measured stool and general-health markers were unchanged by this specific bacterial strain.

Oba PM et al. · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

FOS and MOS in dogs: digestion, microbes and immune markers

Controlled trial

Selected microbial and immune measurements changed, but four dogs cannot establish broad clinical benefits.

Swanson KS et al. · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Resistant starch biscuits in dogs: digestion and stool outcomes

Controlled trial

The tested biscuits produced few changes in digestion or faecal fermentation measurements.

Beloshapka AN et al. · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Protein level changes the response to FOS in dogs

Controlled trial

Responses to FOS depended on the protein content of the food.

Pinna C et al. · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Resistant starch, psyllium and methylcellulose: a dog microbiome comparison

Randomised controlled trial

Different fibres produced different microbial responses; a change in richness is not a clinical diagnosis.

Salavati Schmitz S; Perez-Accino Salgado J; Glendinning L · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Pulse-based dog foods: what a seven-day trial can tell us

Randomised controlled trial

Pulse formulations changed short-term digestion and glucose responses; heart disease was not established by this trial.

Quilliam C; Ren Y; Morris T; Ai Y; Weber LP · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Protein, fibre and fat in diets for dogs after spaying

Controlled trial

Diet composition produced clearer changes in faecal measurements than spaying in this experiment.

Phungviwatnikul T et al. · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Medium-chain fats and cognitive testing in older dogs

Controlled trial

Older Beagles receiving an MCT-enriched food performed better on several cognitive tasks.

Pan Y et al. · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Hydrolysed protein food for dogs with chronic enteropathy

Randomised controlled trial

Both foods initially helped many dogs; longer-term symptom control favoured the hydrolysed diet.

Mandigers PJJ; Biourge V; van den Ingh TSGAM; Ankringa N; German AJ · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Omega-3 sources for canine atopic dermatitis: a controlled trial

Randomised controlled trial

Clinical scores improved in the two supplemented groups, but the abstract leaves important comparison details unresolved.

Mueller et al. · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Dietary moisture and urine concentration in cats

Randomised controlled trial

The highest-moisture food increased total fluid intake and diluted urine in six healthy cats.

Buckley CMF et al. · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Psyllium versus cellulose in healthy cats

Controlled trial

Psyllium produced wetter, softer stools, but this was not a trial in constipated cats.

Keller E et al. · Full-text review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Fibre sources, digestion and hairball measures in cats

Controlled trial

Fibre sources changed digestion and stool measures, while most hairball measurements did not differ.

Donadelli RA; Aldrich CG · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Rice protein concentrate as a feline food ingredient

Controlled trial

Rice protein concentrate performed well in short-term adult-cat feeding tests.

Morris E; Perumalla S; Stiers C; Gross K · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

High inorganic phosphorus diets and feline kidney measurements

Controlled trial

Adverse kidney findings depended on the tested phosphorus formulation and calcium balance.

Alexander J et al. · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Phosphorus source and calcium balance: a 30-week cat study

Randomised controlled trial

No adverse health effects were reported for these specific diets over 30 weeks; this is not a universal phosphorus limit.

Coltherd JC et al. · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Protein-to-energy balance in goldfish diets

Controlled trial

Protein percentage and dietary energy interacted in growing goldfish.

Souto CN et al. · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Protein and energy in betta diets: growth versus body composition

Randomised controlled trial

Higher dietary protein did not improve all growth measurements in this short betta trial.

Lemos MVA et al. · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Astaxanthin and rearing system in goldfish colour

Randomised controlled trial

Astaxanthin and biofloc conditions enhanced colour measurements without improving the reported growth outcomes.

See linked primary citation · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Probiotic mixtures in koi: growth and digestive measurements

Controlled trial

The tested microbial preparations improved some growth and enzyme measurements in koi.

Wang Y et al. · Abstract-only review · Reviewed 25 September 2026

Bacteria in commercial raw pet foods: a 25-product survey

Laboratory study

The sampled raw foods sometimes contained potentially harmful bacteria. This was food testing, not a trial showing how often pets or people became ill.

Weese JS; Rousseau J; Arroyo L · Initial source appraisal · Reviewed 24 September 2026

Bacillus subtilis during an abrupt diet change in dogs

Controlled trial

This specific probiotic did not prevent the measured microbial changes during the tested food transition.

Oba PM; Swanson OR; Kang Y; Mioto JC; Menton JF; Vinay E; Millette M; Kelly MR; Swanson KS · Full-text editorial appraisal · Reviewed 24 September 2026

Fibre and biotic combinations in healthy dogs: what changed?

Controlled trial

Different fibre and biotic combinations changed digestion and stool measurements, but the trial cannot identify one ingredient as responsible.

Wilson SM; Kang Y; Marshall K; Swanson KS · Initial source appraisal · Reviewed 24 September 2026

Glucosamine and chondroitin for canine arthritis: a controlled trial

Controlled trial

Improvement was reported, but the design does not establish the isolated effect of either glucosamine or chondroitin.

McCarthy G; O’Donovan J; Jones B; McAllister H; Seed M; Mooney C · Full-text editorial appraisal · Reviewed 24 September 2026

Beet pulp, cellulose and Miscanthus in dog food: a fibre comparison

Controlled trial

Fibre source changed stool characteristics and digestibility; there was no single winner across every endpoint.

Donadelli RA; Aldrich CG · Full-text editorial appraisal · Reviewed 24 September 2026

Green-lipped mussel extract for dogs with joint disease

Randomised placebo-controlled trial

More dogs improved with the tested extract after eight weeks, but the overall clinical-score comparison did not reach the usual statistical threshold.

Full-text editorial appraisal · Reviewed 23 September 2026

Fish hydrolysate and melon concentrate for mild stress in dogs

Randomised placebo-controlled trial

A small trial found some changes in behaviour during mild stress tests. It did not demonstrate a clear improvement in owners’ overall anxiety ratings or in the cortisol response.

Full-text editorial appraisal · Reviewed 23 September 2026

Spirulina and pigment sources in koi: an eight-week feeding study

Controlled feeding study

An eight-week koi trial compared nine diets. Spirulina improved growth and skin redness relative to control; paprika and a synthetic astaxanthin additive also improved redness. Only two tanks received each diet, limiting confidence in how repeatable these findings are.

Repository full text checked

Black soldier fly meal in betta diets: a 60-day feeding trial

Controlled feeding study · Freshwater aquarium/laboratory

In a 60-day feeding experiment, juvenile bettas receiving a formulated diet containing 13% black soldier fly larvae meal reached a higher average final weight than fish receiving the control diet. Higher inclusion levels did not produce better growth. This supports further investigation of insect meal in betta food, but does not establish a universal feeding level or a benefit for other fish species.

Source methods and results checked; limitations discussed

Enriched Artemia for goldfish: growth and colour in a 90-day trial

Controlled feeding study · Freshwater aquarium/laboratory

A 90-day goldfish experiment compared a commercial food with the same food plus unenriched or enriched live Artemia. Fish receiving Artemia enriched with both spirulina and canthaxanthin had the highest final weight and favourable colour measures. Spirulina-only enrichment did not significantly increase final weight over the control. This is evidence about a particular live-feed strategy, not proof that every spirulina food improves growth or health.

Source methods and results checked; limitations discussed

Raw, lightly cooked and dry dog food: digestibility compared

Controlled feeding study

Selected foods differed in digestion and stool measurements. This short experiment does not establish which format produces better lifelong health.

Full-text appraisal pending

Bacteria and parasites in frozen raw pet foods

Laboratory study

Testing found several potential pathogens in frozen raw foods. These are food-sample results, not infection rates in pets or people.

Full-text editorial appraisal completed

Kidney diets for cats: what a two-year trial found

Randomised trial

A renal diet reduced uraemic episodes and kidney-related deaths in this trial. Overall mortality was not significantly different.

Full-text appraisal pending

Fish-oil-enriched food and weight bearing in dogs with arthritis

Randomised trial

A fish-oil-enriched food showed a promising movement result in dogs with arthritis, but owner assessments did not show a treatment difference. The analysis excluded six dogs who did not finish.

Full-text editorial appraisal completed

Do homemade dog-food recipes meet nutrient requirements?

Recipe analysis

Most sampled recipes fell short of at least one nutrient benchmark. This was an analysis of recipes, not a trial measuring illness in dogs.

Full-text appraisal pending

Homemade diets for dogs and cats: what laboratory testing found

Laboratory study

None of 100 internet recipes met all the protein, fat and mineral recommendations evaluated. Some metal concentrations also exceeded the study’s comparison thresholds, but no animals were fed the diets and clinical harm was not measured.

Publisher full text checked

Raw, pasteurised and heat-treated dog food: what changed?

Randomised trial

Eighteen healthy Beagles ate one of three versions of a similar recipe: raw, pasteurised or high-temperature sterilised. After eight weeks, the researchers found differences in protein digestibility, blood measurements and faecal bacteria. These results do not establish which processing method produces the healthiest dog over a lifetime.

Full-text editorial appraisal completed

Taurine, diet and heart disease in Golden Retrievers

Observational study

This study described Golden Retrievers with both low taurine and dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease affecting the heart muscle. Most dogs with follow-up heart scans improved after diet changes, taurine supplementation and clinical care. Because several treatments changed together and there was no untreated comparison group, the study cannot identify one responsible ingredient or separate the effects of each treatment.

Weight-loss diets and feeding strategies in cats

Randomised trial

Three supervised feeding approaches produced similar weight loss. Owner-reported hunger and satisfaction differed.

Full-text editorial appraisal completed

Raw feeding and the canine gut microbiome

Randomised trial

What an eight-dog feeding trial found about gut bacteria and stool quality, and what it cannot tell us about long-term health.

Full-text editorial appraisal completed

Beet pulp levels in dog food: stool output and digestion

Controlled feeding or challenge experiment

Beet pulp amount changed stool output and digestion in this controlled dog-feeding experiment.

Abstract-based review · Fahey GC Jr; Merchen NR; Corbin JE; Hamilton AK; Serbe KA; Lewis SM; Hirakawa DA · Reviewed 2 October 2026

Beet pulp and taurine status in dogs on low-protein diets

Controlled feeding or challenge experiment

Taurine concentrations declined in all groups and were lowest with beet pulp. Protein digestibility was lower and bile acid excretion higher in that group.

Abstract-based review · Ko KS; Fascetti AJ · Reviewed 2 October 2026

Chicory inulin and acetate turnover in dogs

Repeated-measure feeding experiment

Whole-body acetate turnover was unchanged at day 4 but approximately 31% higher at day 21.

Abstract-based review · Pouteau E; Frenais R; Dumon H; Noah L; Martin L; Nguyen P · Reviewed 2 October 2026

Green-lipped mussel extract and activity in working farm dogs

Randomised trial

Some accelerometer measures changed, while the 75th-percentile activity measure did not.

Abstract-based review · Cave N; Bolton S; Cogger N · Reviewed 2 October 2026

Blinded food challenges in dogs with adverse food reactions

Randomised trial

Most dogs reacted to at least one food; half also reacted to one placebo challenge.

Abstract-based review · Sofou EI et al. · Reviewed 2 October 2026

Psyllium-containing diets for chronic constipation in cats

Controlled feeding or challenge experiment

Reported treatment failure was 26.9% with the test diet and 73.3% with control. Clinical signs improved in both groups.

Abstract-based review · Rochon J; Charles H; Biourge V; Laxalde J; Goñi García-Falces M; Dito D · Reviewed 2 October 2026

Cranberry feeding and a bacterial adhesion assay in cats

Randomised trial

Reduced bacterial adherence was reported for some cats at 0.1% and all cats at 0.3%.

Abstract-based review · Carvajal-Campos A et al. · Reviewed 2 October 2026

Specific egg antibodies and active Fel d1 in cat saliva

Controlled feeding or challenge experiment

Immunoactive salivary Fel d1 decreased; 82% of treated cats had at least a 20% reduction versus 38% of controls.

Abstract-based review · Satyaraj E; Li Q; Sun P; Sherrill S · Reviewed 2 October 2026

L-carnitine, metabolism and weight loss in overweight cats

Controlled feeding or challenge experiment

Fat oxidation increased more at higher supplementation. Overall weight loss did not differ significantly between groups.

Abstract-based review · Center SA; Warner KL; Randolph JF; Sunvold GD; Vickers JR · Reviewed 2 October 2026

High dietary phosphorus and renal indicators in cats

Controlled feeding or challenge experiment

Nine cats developed glucosuria and microalbuminuria under high-phosphorus feeding; creatinine clearance decreased.

Abstract-based review · Dobenecker B; Webel A; Reese S; Kienzle E · Reviewed 2 October 2026

Inulin and faecal microbiota and immune markers in cats

Repeated-measure feeding experiment

Faecal secretory IgA increased at day 14 and Collinsella abundance increased. Indole and 3-methylindole did not change.

Abstract-based review · Liang SK; Wang JQ; Han B · Reviewed 2 October 2026

Whole-fat and defatted krill powder in koi diets

Controlled feeding or challenge experiment

Growth, colour and some immune measures improved, but high inclusion groups also showed adverse liver changes.

Abstract-based review · Song H et al. · Reviewed 2 October 2026

Soybean meal feeding and reproductive outcomes in goldfish

Controlled feeding or challenge experiment

Testosterone decreased, estradiol increased, and egg, sperm, fertilisation and hatching outcomes deteriorated with higher soybean-meal treatments.

Abstract-based review · Bagheri T; Imanpoor MR; Jafari V; Bennetau-Pelissero C · Reviewed 2 October 2026

Fermented soybean meal replacing fishmeal protein in coho salmon

Controlled feeding or challenge experiment

The highest fermented-soybean treatment improved growth and several biochemical measures. Survival and feed intake did not change.

Abstract-based review · Zhang Q et al. · Reviewed 2 October 2026

Astaxanthin and experimental bacterial challenge in common carp

Controlled feeding or challenge experiment

Some immune measures improved. Challenge mortality varied across supplemented groups; not all growth measures improved.

Abstract-based review · Jagruthi C et al. · Reviewed 2 October 2026

Spirulina and Bacillus licheniformis in goldfish diets

Controlled feeding or challenge experiment

Growth did not differ between groups. Some immune measures changed and supplementation was associated with lower mortality after bacterial challenge.

Abstract-based review · Yousefi M et al. · Reviewed 2 October 2026

Bacillus-enriched Artemia in sailfin molly feeding

Controlled feeding or challenge experiment

Growth did not differ. Reproductive outcomes, fry survival and intestinal Bacillus counts improved, with lower mortality after bacterial challenge.

Abstract-based review · Ahmadifard N; Rezaei Aminlooi V; Tukmechi A; Agh N · Reviewed 2 October 2026

Highly digestible diet and soluble fibre for chronic large-bowel diarrhoea in dogs

Retrospective case series

Most dogs improved on the combined diet and fibre regimen.

Abstract-based review · Leib MS · Reviewed 25 September 2026