NRC Updates Nutrition Requirements for Dogs and Cats
On 8 September, the National Research Council (NRC) announced the publication of Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, a comprehensive, 450-page report by an international team of experts on the daily nutrient and calorie requirements of dogs and cat1,2.
NRC is the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. It is a private, nonprofit institution that provides scientific and technological advice under a congressional charter. The National Academies fosters improved understanding of the nutritional needs of pets, wildlife, laboratory-research species, and food-producing animals through its authoritative series of Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals.
The new report, based on research conducted during the past 25 years, provides nutritional recommendations based on physical activity and stage of animal life, examines how nutrients are metabolized in dogs and cats, advises how to recognize overweight dogs and cats, and what and how to feed them in order to keep them healthy. The report is intended to primarily serve scientists, manufacturers of pet food, and veterinarians.
New Guidelines for the Care and Use of Mammals in Neuroscience and Behavioral Research
Expanding on the NRC's Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals3, it's Committee on Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Neuroscience and Behavioral Research has recently published Guidelines for the Care and Use of Mammals in Neuroscience and Behavioral Research4. This document provides flexible and specific guidelines for the care of mammals in neuroscience and behavioral studies that do not impede the research.
This book presents the most current, in-depth information about the best practices for animal care and use in neuroscience and behavioral research, and includes the following important subjects:
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The important role that the researcher and veterinarian play in developing animal protocols.
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Methods for assessing and ensuring well-being of animals.
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General animal-care elements in neuroscience and behavioral research, and common animal welfare challenges this research can pose4.
The book encourages the use of professional judgment and careful interpretation of regulations and guidelines to help researchers, veterinarians, and animal care committees evaluate animal protocols and provide high quality of care to animals studied in neuroscience and behavioral research.
References
Subcommittee on Dog and Cat Nutrition, Committee on Animal Nutrition, National Research Council. Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats (National Academy Press, Washington, DC, in press).
The National Academies. Publication Announcement. New dietary guidelines issued for cats and dogs. (8 September 2003). http://www4.nationalacademies.org/news.nsf/isbn/0309086280?OpenDocument.
Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Research Council. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 1996).
Committee on Guidelines for the Use of Animals in Neuroscience and Behavioral Research, National Research Council. Guidelines for the Care and Use of Mammals in Neuroscience and Behavioral Research (National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 2003).
Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration. Final Rule. Reports by carriers on incidents involving animals during air transport. Federal Register 68, 47797–47800 (11 August 2003).
Food and Drug Administration, HHS. Final Rule; Technical Amendment. Injectable or implantable dosage form new animal drugs; euthanasia solution; technical amendment. Federal Register 68, 42968–42969 (21 July 2003).
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Shalev, M. New NRC Publications on Cat and Dog Nutrition, Use of Mammals in Neuroscience and Behavioral Studies. Lab Anim 32, 16 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban1103-16a
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/laban1103-16a