Source: Pet Food Industry
Iowa State University and Freshpet are conducting a 10-month at-home study to examine how a dog’s diet may influence both canine health and the human–animal bond. Led by Logan Kilburn, an assistant professor of animal science at Iowa State, the study includes 39 dogs of various ages and breeds from central Iowa.
Participants follow specific feeding protocols while living in their normal home environments. Owners collect non-invasive health samples from their dogs and complete surveys that evaluate aspects of their relationship with their pets. Researchers will combine these owner-reported observations with objective health data to better understand how nutrition affects dogs’ physical well-being and interactions with their owners. By studying dogs in everyday home settings rather than controlled laboratory environments, the researchers hope to capture more realistic insights into how feeding practices fit into daily life. The collaboration aims to expand knowledge about how diet may shape both canine health outcomes and the strength of the owner–pet relationship.