The Role of Nutrition in Maintaining Well-Being and Health of Dogs and Cats

Dear Colleagues,

Globally, hundreds of millions of dogs and cats live in close contact with the families to which they have become true members. The social role that dogs and cats play is mainly linked to the emotional bond that is created between the animal and the owner.

Thanks to the improvement in the care that dogs and cats receive, their life expectancy has increased significantly in recent decades and consequently the incidence of problems typical of old age has also increased.

The role of nutrition is essential in maintaining a healthy condition in dogs and cats, especially if life expectancy tends to increase. Errors in the daily management of animal feeding can lead to deficiency syndromes and represent a predisposing factor to numerous pathological conditions. Conversely, a complete and balanced diet, possibly supplemented with specific functional ingredients, can improve the health of the animal and the functionality of organs and systems reducing the incidence of various diseases. Finally, there are numerous situations in which the adaptation of the diet to a specific pathological condition represents a fundamental point in the clinical management of the animal.

We invite you to send us original research papers concerning the effects—positive or negative—that nutrition can have on the well-being and health of dogs and cats. The topics can concern the nutritional management of healthy animals and that of animals suffering from pathology, as well as the nutritional and hygienic–sanitary quality of the feeds.

Dr. Giacomo Biagi
Collection Editor

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