Worldwide, millions of people follow vegan and vegetarian diets for religious, ethical, environmental or economic reasons. While these diets have purported health benefits, they can also lack essential nutrients, such as vitamins B12 and D3, if not well-planned or supplemented correctly. Now, researchers have packed a strawberry-flavored gummy with these vitamins, formulating it without any…

One in four puppies in the UK may be being acquired before the recommended minimum age — a figure that is considerably higher than what has been reported before — suggests new research. Separating a puppy from its mother too early may have long-term consequences on physiological and behavioural development that risks behavioural problems later…

New clinical research indicates that a widely used food additive, carboxymethylcellulose, alters the intestinal environment of healthy persons, perturbing levels of beneficial bacteria and nutrients. These findings demonstrate the need for further study of the long-term impacts of this food additive on health. The research was led by a collaborative team of scientists from Georgia…

A study encompassing some 9,000 dogs demonstrated that fearfulness, age, breed, the company of other members of the same species and the owner’s previous experience of dogs were associated with aggressive behavior towards humans. The findings can potentially provide tools for understanding and preventing aggressive behavior. Aggressive behaviour in dogs can include growling, barking, snapping…

Neuroscientists have connected some of the dots to reveal the brain networks that give anxiety influence over decisions. The group has published a review that synthesizes results from years of brain measurements in rats and primates and relates these findings to the human brain. In previous research, negative mental states have been shown to upset…

An analysis of data from more than 11,000 older Japanese adults suggests that seniors who own a dog may be at lower risk of disability than those who have never been dog owners. Earlier studies by these researchers have linked dog ownership among Japanese seniors with a lower risk of frailty — a relationship that…

When given the choice between a free meal and performing a task for a meal, cats would prefer the meal that doesn’t require much effort. A new study from researchers at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine showed most domestic cats choose not to contrafreeload. The study found that cats would rather…

Eating a plant-centered diet during young adulthood is associated with a lower risk of heart disease in middle age, according to a long-term study with about 30 years of follow-up. A separate study with about 15 years of follow-up found that eating more plant-based foods that have been shown to lower cholesterol, called the ‘Portfolio…

The law on keeping dangerous snakes as pets should be tightened up, animal welfare experts demand. The call follows an investigation by the journal, showing that several species of venomous and potentially lethal snakes, such as cobras, vipers, and rattlesnakes, can easily be bought through pet shops in England, but that the licensing arrangements for…

A young adult in the U.S. could add more than a decade to their life expectancy by changing their diet from a typical Western diet to an optimized diet that includes more legumes, whole grains and nuts, and less red and processed meat, according to a new study. For older people, the anticipated gains to…