Enhancing Pet Nutrition Research and Practice: A Systematic Review of Evidence Gaps and Clinical Applications

This systematic review synthesizes evidence from 10 studies published between 2005 and 2025, focusing on nutritional interventions, functional ingredients, and their resulting health outcomes in dogs and cats. The scope of the review covers research into cognitive function enhancement, osteoarthritis management, palatability assessment, periodontal disease prevention, aging interventions, plant extracts, nutrigenomics, microbiome modulation, and metabolomics. The studies included systematic reviews (n=8) and primary research examining enriched diets, nutraceuticals, and functional ingredients across various health domains. The evidence demonstrates beneficial effects for omega-3 fatty acids in improving cognitive function and managing osteoarthritis, with effect sizes (Cohen's d) ranging from d=0.58 to d=1.19. However, significant methodological heterogeneity is apparent, characterized by median sample sizes of only 11.5 animals per group and widely varying intervention durations, from 28 days to 3 years.  Key Research Gaps Identified:  Insufficient long-term safety data for most interventions, compounded by limited regulatory oversight in the supplement market. [1]  Lack of standardized outcome measures and validated biomarkers, particularly in fields like osteoarthritis management, where there is no current consensus on the most useful endpoints. [2]  Limited species-specific research, particularly for cats, presenting a critical taxonomic bias.  Poor integration of physiological and behavioral measures, especially in palatability research.  Minimal translation of biological findings into practical clinical protocols. The review highlights opportunities for developing validated biomarkers, standardized protocols, and evidence-based clinical pathways while addressing existing geographic, taxonomic, and methodological biases in the current research landscape