Background: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that
dog plasma concentrations of selected nutrients decrease after undergoing caloric
restriction for weight loss. Thirty-one overweight dogs that had successfully lost at
least 15% of initial body weight were included in the study. Nutrients that had been
previously identified ... read moreto be at potential risk of deficiency during caloric
restriction were measured in plasma (choline, amino acids) and urine (selenium) at
the initiation and completion of a standardized weight loss regimen in
dogs.
Linder, Deborah, Lisa M. Freeman, Shelley L. Holden, Vincent
Biourge, and Alexander J. German. "Status of selected nutrients in obese dogs
undergoing caloric restriction." BMC Veterinary Research 9, no. 1 (12, 2013):
1-10.