Beagles ideal for nutrition study

June 25, 2010

By Mark Ferguson

Beagles are the dog of choice for a nutrition study in the Western College of Veterinary Medicine that aims to develop a healthier dog food made from peas.

The dogs were chosen over other breeds for their short hair, their friendly nature, and the fact that “they eat everything, so they do get fat,” chuckled Lynn Weber, assistant professor with the biomedical sciences department.

Weber said during the two-year study, beagles Lucy, Linus, Marcy, Woodstock, Charlie and Patty will be fed a pea-based dog food developed in collaboration with the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. She hopes it will be a healthier alternative to typical dog food ingredients like rice or corn, since peas are grown locally and provide an excellent source of complex carbohydrates.

“Pet owners are looking for better dog food,” said Weber, who expressed her concerns for the pet food industry health standards. “If the dogs respond well to the new food, it could improve pet food safety and create a new market for feed peas,” she added.

All the dogs are between two and six years old so they were fully-grown when the study began. Weber said the beagles are monitored for fat thickness and cardiovascular health throughout the study while going for regular walks.

“These guys get a lot of attention during their daily walks of campus, especially from kids,” said Weber.