A Pioneering Approach to Enhancing Pet Health: Canine Beverage Formulated by LSMU Researchers

Data indicates that the sales of pet food and nutritional supplements in Lithuania are increasing annually. Concurrently, there is a burgeoning global interest in products aimed at pet health. Addressing this niche, a team of LSMU researchers has presented a functional beverage specifically for dogs, as part of the LSMU Development of Knowledge Commercialisation and Technology Transfer project. The team is represented by Prof. Paulius Matusevičius, Rusnė Dabužinskaitė, and Olivija Brazaitė from LSMU Faculty of Animal Science, as well as Assoc. Prof. Rūta Budreckienė from LSMU Faculty of Medicine.

Promise to Tackle a Wide Range of Canine Health Issues

The authors of the project have emphasized that water is crucial not only for human but also for canine physiology. A healthy dog requires roughly 40 ml of water per 1 kg of body weight daily. Water aids in the uptake of vital minerals crucial to a dog’s health and overall well-being.

The innovative canine beverage is designed for everyday consumption, meeting the advised daily water intake while balancing essential minerals. This contributes to the enhancement of the pet’s digestive system, nutrient metabolism, immune system, and circulatory system health, and aids in the maintenance of a healthy body weight.

The matter of maintaining a healthy body weight is especially pertinent for dog owners. Research indicates that approximately 35% of domestic dogs are overweight, a condition that negatively impacts both their lifespan and quality of life. The authors of the idea argue that obesity frequently arises from excessive feeding, highlighting the need for nutritional approaches to help dogs maintain a healthy weight. The formulated drink aids in regulating the energy content of the diet and ensuring sufficient hydration, whilst also promoting effective digestion, nutrient metabolism, immune system efficacy, and vascular functions.

A Promising Innovation

According to the project authors, there are no comparable products currently available that guarantee adequate hydration for pets. The team has already validated the feasibility of the concept by formulating the drink and is presently focused on developing a prototype.

The aspiration is for this user-friendly product, designed to contribute to the prevention of health issues in pets, to become a preferred choice among pet owners.

This work has been conducted under the project titled “Development of Knowledge Commercialisation and Technology Transfer at Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU-TTO2)” (project No. 13.1.1-CPVA-K-703-04-0010).