New NRC Publications on Cat and Dog Nutrition, Use of Mammals in Neuroscience and Behavioral Studies

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 cat^1,2.

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:

• The important role that the researcher and veterinarian play in developing animal protocols.

• Methods for assessing and ensuring well-being of animals.

• 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.