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Ananova
:
Healthy
Pet Food Developed In Britain
BRITAIN
- A pet food designed to prevent heart disease and cancer in dogs and
cats has been launched.
The mixer, developed
by British scientists, contains anti-oxidants which prevent the damage
to cells' DNA that can lead to disease.
In tests, dogs fed
on the blend for two months suffered 26% less DNA damage than animals
on a conventional diet, according to the makers. DNA damage in cats
was reduced by 17%.
The food is intended
to be incorporated into commercial dog and cat foods, rather than being
sold separately to pet owners.
It has been created
at the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition in Waltham on the Wolds, Leicestershire
- which is run by Mars pet foods.
Pet foods may carry
labels advertising that they contain the product by the end of the year.
Details of the research
were presented at an international meeting of animal health experts
in the Canadian city of Vancouver.
Scientists have
linked DNA damage to a number of pet diseases, including cancer, arthritis,
heart disease, and a canine brain condition known as "doggy Alzheimer's".
Dr Roger Batt, head
of research at the Waltham Centre, said: "The DNA in every cell
of a cat or dog's body is damaged every second and it only takes damage
or mutation to a single cell to cause cancer.
"That makes
a reduction of 26% in DNA damage a major step forward for the longevity
and well-being of our pets."
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