Key Takeaways
- Canine obesity is a health issue, not simply an appearance issue. Maintaining a healthy body weight can play an important role in a dog’s long-term health and longevity.
- Weight loss shouldn’t focus on the scale alone. DEXA scans allow researchers to distinguish between fat, lean, and bone mass, helping determine what dogs are actually losing.
- The goal is fat loss while preserving lean mass. Losing weight too quickly may result in greater loss of lean tissue.
- Dietary fiber may play multiple roles in weight management. Fiber characteristics including fermentability, solubility, viscosity, source, and inclusion level can influence gut responses and stool quality.
- The gut microbiome is part of the obesity conversation. Obesity and microbiome changes are associated, but determining cause and effect remains difficult.
- Controlled weight loss requires close monitoring. Liang’s study weighs dogs weekly and targets approximately 1.5% body weight loss per week.
- Even partial weight-loss success can matter. A dog may experience health benefits even if it doesn’t reach its ultimate target weight.
- Pet nutrition research has global relevance. Although ingredients and feeding practices vary by region, obesity and many other companion animal nutrition challenges occur worldwide.
Episode 31: Exploring Canine Weight Management Through Nutrition
Timestamps:
Recorded live at Pet Food Forum, this episode of the Real Science Exchange Student Showcase explores canine weight management research from the University of Illinois and the role nutrition may play in supporting healthy weight loss.
Host Scott Sorrell, Director of Global Marketing at Balchem, sits down with Shukun “Connie” Liang and Dr. Kelly Swanson of the University of Illinois to discuss canine obesity, dietary fiber, body composition, the gut microbiome, and the practical challenges of controlled weight loss in dogs.
Their conversation explores not only how much weight a dog loses, but also what type of body mass is lost, how diet may influence the gut microbiome, and why preserving lean body mass matters during weight loss.
Building a Companion Animal Nutrition Research Program
Dr. Swanson begins by discussing his path into nutrition and the development of his comparative nutrition laboratory at the University of Illinois. The laboratory now focuses primarily on dog and cat nutrition, including research in gut health, weight management, and novel ingredient testing. He also talks about mentoring groups of graduate students and the importance of developing the next generation of companion animal nutrition researchers. (00:00 – 03:59)
Developing the Next Generation of Pet Nutrition Researchers
Dr. Swanson explains how Liang’s previous work in cat weight management and probiotics aligned with his laboratory’s research. He highlights her expanding leadership role and experience with research tools including DEXA scans and molecular techniques.
Liang shares her journey from Beijing to the University of Illinois, including her studies at China Agricultural University, before introducing her current research.(04:00 – 08:07)
Dietary Fiber and Canine Weight Management
Liang’s research focuses on canine weight control, including a previous weight-gain study and her current weight-loss research.
The researchers are investigating dietary approaches including fiber. Dr. Swanson explains that fermented fibers can produce short-chain fatty acids associated with gut peptides such as GLP-1, although the research team is not specifically studying GLP-1 in the current project.
An important goal of controlled canine weight loss is encouraging fat loss while preserving as much lean body mass as possible. (08:29 – 11:14)
Studying Obese Dogs, Dietary Fiber, and the Gut Microbiome
For her current study, Liang is comparing two diets containing different percentages of fiber in two groups of 10 obese dogs. The study is planned to last 24 weeks and was at week eight when this conversation was recorded.
Measurements include:
- Blood and fecal collections
- Gastrointestinal transit time
- Accelerometer-based physical activity
- CBC and serum chemistry
- Inflammation- and obesity-related measures
- Gut microbiome analysis
The discussion also addresses the complicated relationship between canine obesity and the gut microbiome. Although obesity is associated with microbiome changes, determining whether those changes are a cause or consequence of obesity remains challenging. (11:15 – 14:07)
Using DEXA to Measure Body Composition During Weight Loss
Body weight doesn’t tell the entire story.
Liang and Dr. Swanson discuss using DEXA scans to distinguish fat mass, lean mass, and bone mass, giving researchers a more detailed picture of how a dog’s body composition changes during weight loss.
The conversation also explores physical activity, owner recognition of obesity, the nine-point body condition scoring system, and the difficulty of preventing overfeeding when highly palatable and digestible foods are readily available.
Liang weighs the dogs weekly as the study targets approximately 1.5% body weight loss per week. Dr. Swanson explains that overly rapid weight loss may increase the loss of lean mass. He also notes that dogs can potentially receive health benefits from losing excess weight even when they don’t reach their ultimate target weight. (14:08 – 19:08)
Fiber, Polyphenols, and Previous Weight Management Research
Because Liang’s current canine weight-loss study is ongoing, the conversation turns to her previous research investigating whether polyphenols could help inhibit weight gain during overfeeding.
Liang describes changes observed in the microbiome, gastrointestinal transit time, and activity. Dr. Swanson explains that overfeeding itself can influence transit time and the microbiome.
The discussion also demonstrates why dietary fiber isn’t a one-size-fits-all ingredient. Effects can vary depending on characteristics such as fiber solubility, viscosity, source, and inclusion level. Excessive fermentation may also negatively affect stool quality.
Liang concludes this portion of the discussion by sharing her interest in pursuing a postdoctoral position and potentially becoming a professor. (19:09 – 22:17)
Why Maintaining a Healthy Weight Matters for Dogs
In her closing takeaway, Liang emphasizes an important message for pet owners and the companion animal industry: pet obesity is a health issue, not simply an appearance issue.
Maintaining a healthy body weight may help support a longer, healthier life.
Dr. Swanson adds that obesity and other pet nutrition challenges appear across countries and regions, even when available ingredients differ. That makes continued education, research, and the development of pet nutrition expertise important around the world. (25:22 – 28:48)
Supporting Pet Health Through Nutrition
Liang explains that her veterinary background in China shaped her interest in nutrition. Rather than focusing only on treating illnesses after they develop, she wants to use nutrition to help support health earlier.
Dr. Swanson sees similar opportunities for students from different backgrounds and regions to develop expertise, establish research programs, and advance companion animal nutrition in their home countries. (28:49 – End)
FAQ
What role can nutrition play in canine weight management?
Nutrition can help control calorie intake while providing essential nutrients during weight loss. An important goal is to encourage loss of excess body fat while preserving as much lean body mass as possible.
How is dietary fiber used in dog weight management diets?
Dietary fiber can influence factors including energy density, gastrointestinal physiology, fermentation, and the gut microbiome. Its effects depend on the fiber’s source, solubility, viscosity, fermentability, and inclusion level.
Why is preserving lean body mass important during canine weight loss?
Weight loss includes changes in both fat and lean tissue. The researchers emphasize promoting fat loss while retaining as much lean mass as possible. Losing weight too quickly may increase lean-mass loss.
How do researchers measure body composition in dogs?
The University of Illinois research team uses DEXA scans to distinguish fat mass, lean mass, and bone mass. This provides more information than body weight alone.
How quickly should dogs lose weight?
In the University of Illinois study discussed in this episode, the researchers are targeting approximately 1.5% of body weight per week. Appropriate weight-management plans for individual pets should be developed with veterinary guidance.
Is the gut microbiome linked to obesity in dogs?
Research has identified associations between obesity and changes in the gut microbiome. However, the researchers note that establishing whether microbiome changes cause obesity or result from it remains difficult and controversial.
Can fermented fiber affect the gut microbiome?
Yes. Certain fibers are fermented by intestinal microbes and can produce metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids. However, fiber responses depend on several characteristics, and excessive fermentation can negatively affect stool quality.
Why is canine obesity a health concern?
Liang emphasizes that obesity is more than a cosmetic issue. Maintaining an appropriate body weight is part of supporting a dog’s overall health and potentially helping pets live longer.
Full Transcript
Welcome to the Real Science Exchange (0:00)
Scott Sorrell: Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Real Science Exchange, the podcast where leading scientists and industry professionals meet over a few drinks to discuss the latest ideas and trends in animal nutrition.
Hi, I’m Scott Sorrell, and I’ll be your host for this discussion. This is one of my favorite segments we do for the Real Science Exchange, what we call the Student Showcase.
The next generation of pet nutrition scientists is already tackling important questions in health, metabolism, and feeding strategies. In this Student Showcase, we highlight emerging research and perspectives shaping the future of the field.
We’re going to do that today with Connie Liang and Dr. Kelly Swanson from the University of Illinois.
Dr. Kelly Swanson’s Background & Program (0:53)
Scott Sorrell: Kelly, I’m going to start with you. Tell us about the program you’ve put together at the University of Illinois and what makes it special.
Dr. Kelly Swanson: Sure. I’ve been a professor there for a little over 20 years. My background is in animal science, and then I got a degree in nutrition. I was at North Dakota State in Fargo, North Dakota. I’m originally from northern Minnesota, but for about the last 30 years I’ve been down in the Champaign area for graduate school, a postdoc, and then as faculty.
I was pre-vet for a long time.
Scott Sorrell: Most of us were.
Dr. Kelly Swanson: Yeah. I never applied, but I took all the courses. In the end, it probably benefited me. I took a nutrition class, got interested in that, and the rest is history. I took another nutrition class and then went to graduate school in nutrition at Illinois.
I did a postdoc in functional genomics. After a couple of years, there was an opportunity back in our department, so I moved from building to building and came back home to where I started.
Even at that time, our lab focused on comparative nutrition, anything from rodent models to dogs and cats to humans. But where we focus most now is really dog and cat nutrition. You get too strung out trying to do everything.
Research Focus Areas & Lab Dynamics (2:21)
Dr. Kelly Swanson: For about the past 20 years, the goal of the lab has really been improving the nutrition and health of pets. That’s what most of the students who come in want to do.
We work in a few areas. In the pet food industry, you probably can’t specialize too much because there are so many questions and not that many people doing the research.
Gut health is where I got my PhD, and everything involving the microbiome, biotics, and fibers continues to be probably the biggest piece of the lab.
One thing Connie is working on is weight management. Obesity is a huge problem. Unfortunately, just like in humans, it’s a major problem in the population. We’re always looking at novel ingredients, diet formulations, and different management strategies.
The last major area is novel ingredient testing. We work with a lot of novel proteins, novel fibers, and biotics. Sometimes these areas blend together. A project doesn’t always fit neatly into one category.
When Connie graduates in a year or so, she’ll be about the 50th graduate student from my laboratory. I have collaborators who work in this space as well, but recently we’ve had anywhere from eight to 12 students at a time. It’s a pretty active group.
I’m getting older all the time, but they keep me younger than I would be otherwise.
Scott Sorrell: Excellent.
How Dr. Swanson & Connie Connected (4:00)
Scott Sorrell: You mentioned Connie. Tell us a little bit about her. How did you meet, and what makes her special?
Dr. Kelly Swanson: Like a lot of people, I think the first thing was an email. I can’t remember our initial interaction.
Connie Liang: Maybe it was because of the study I did before. During my master’s, I worked on cat weight management and probiotics.
Scott Sorrell: Okay.
Dr. Kelly Swanson: Yeah. There was some interaction the first time we talked. She got her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in China, and her master’s project was in the gut-health area but also involved weight management.
When I was looking for new students, I thought she fit the bill pretty well.
She’s been in the lab for almost two years now. I’ve had a lot of people turn over recently, so she’s taken on more of a leadership role. I didn’t have to go to Connie and ask her to become more of a leader. She offered that herself this past winter. I think she saw the landscape of the lab and realized we needed more leaders.
Connie’s Leadership and Skill Set in the Lab (5:12)
Dr. Kelly Swanson: Connie gets along with everybody. She’s highly skilled, but she’s also a team player.
For her specific project, she’s the leader. That’s her project. She may need help with certain things because most of our projects are complicated. You need people to help, but when other people need help, she’s there to do the same. That’s the culture we try to have in the lab.
In the real world, you’re rarely going to work in isolation. Connie naturally understands that.
There are a lot of laboratory skills involved. We’re doing DEXA scans and different molecular techniques. Sometimes we’re looking at biochemistry, such as how digestible certain nutrients or ingredients are.
She gave a nice talk at a conference in January. As we get more data, she’ll be presenting it elsewhere as well. She’s been a great addition to the lab.
It’s always bittersweet when students graduate. I’ve seen many alumni here in the exhibit hall, and I have kids of my own, but these students are almost like my kids too. I have that pride in them.
I try to guide them and give them the best advice I can. But good graduate students usually don’t need a lot of guidance. You keep them on track and answer questions when you can, but a lot of them drive themselves. Then they keep doing that when they enter the industry.
Connie is great to have in the lab.
Reflecting on Student Mentorship and Backgrounds (7:01)
Scott Sorrell: As I mentioned before, this is one of my favorite segments. I’ve been doing the Student Showcase for about five years, and I find it really gratifying.
We’ve had students who have now graduated. They were students when they joined us, now they’re professors, and now I’ve had their students on the Student Showcase. It’s kind of cool that all of that has happened in five years.
Who knows, Connie? Maybe in a few years we’ll have one of your students on the showcase and you’ll be there with them.
Tell us a little bit about yourself from your perspective. Where in China did you grow up? I’ve been to China a few times.
Connie Liang: Beijing.
Scott Sorrell: Beijing. I’ve been to Beijing.
Connie Liang: China Agricultural University.
Scott Sorrell: Okay. I’ve been to the Great Wall of China as well. It’s a beautiful place.
I didn’t know what to expect the first time I went to China, but I’ve been a little bit of everywhere. It’s a beautiful country: mountains, everything. You’ve got everything there. I love it, and I love the people. Very warm, engaging, friendly people.
Tell us about your research.
Overview of Connie’s Weight-Loss Studies (8:29)
Connie Liang: My research now is focused on dog weight control.
Scott Sorrell: Dog weight control. Okay.
Connie Liang: My first study looked at weight gain, and now I’m focused on weight loss. They’re totally different procedures.
We’re testing fiber and diet strategies to help dogs maintain an ideal body weight and avoid becoming obese, because obesity is very bad for their health.
Scott Sorrell: It is. It’s usually not the dog’s fault, is it?
Connie Liang: Yeah. That’s also our problem.
Role of Dietary Fiber & Polyphenols (9:11)
Scott Sorrell: So you’re using fiber to try to reduce calorie intake?
Connie Liang: Yes. For my first study, we used [polyphenol source unclear].
Dr. Kelly Swanson: There’s some fiber and some polyphenolics. They might provide antioxidant support, but there may also be other functional effects.
Some of her research is looking at complete diets, while other studies examine specific ingredients that could potentially be incorporated into diets in the future.
GLP-1, Dietary Fiber & Gut Peptides in Pets (9:48)
Scott Sorrell: In human weight loss, we’re using GLP-1s. Is any work being done on that?
Dr. Kelly Swanson: Some of the fibers we’re testing are fermented, which produces short-chain fatty acids. Those can act as secondary messengers that influence the production of gut peptides such as GLP-1.
GLP-2 is similar, but GLP-1 is the one that naturally affects things such as gastric emptying and appetite. Of course, the pharmaceuticals have a much more powerful effect, but GLP-1 is something that’s naturally produced in the body.
We aren’t specifically looking at that in this current research. But in previous studies, we’ve looked at glycemic response and insulin sensitivity, and GLP-1 is involved in those processes. We’ve measured gut peptides like that, along with insulin and other related hormones.
Right now, Connie is working with dietary formulations designed to help dogs lose weight while maintaining lean mass. You’re always going to lose some lean mass during body-weight reduction, but if the loss can primarily come from fat mass while preserving lean mass, that’s important, especially as animals age.
Weight-Loss Study Protocol & Measurements (11:15)
Scott Sorrell: Why don’t you walk us through the research protocol?
Connie Liang: My current study is focused on weight loss. We’re using two different diets with different percentages of fiber and testing them in obese dogs.
We have two groups with 10 dogs in each group, and we’re helping them lose weight step by step. They’re doing well. We’re currently at week eight, and we’ll continue until week 24.
Hopefully, by week 24 they’ll return to their ideal weight.
Dr. Kelly Swanson: Maybe describe the different measurements you’re taking throughout the study.
Connie Liang: About every six weeks, we collect blood and fecal samples. We also measure transit time and activity. We use accelerometers to measure activity.
After the study, we’ll analyze all the samples. We’ll measure CBC and serum chemistry and use ELISA kits to measure cytokines and other markers related to inflammation and obesity, including leptin and insulin.
We’ll also analyze the gut microbiome.
If humans or animals become obese, you can see changes in the gut microbiome.
Obesity and the Gut Microbiome Relationship (13:17)
Scott Sorrell: I didn’t know that. So is it causative? Is the microbiome contributing to obesity?
Dr. Kelly Swanson: That’s probably a little controversial. There are certainly relationships.
Connie Liang: We’re always trying to identify those relationships.
Dr. Kelly Swanson: There may be some debate around that. With obesity, there’s low-grade inflammation. Certain things happen that may affect the microbiome, and the microbiome may respond differently.
There are certainly associations. Causation is the tricky part to prove, but we continue measuring the microbiome as an outcome.
DEXA Scans & Body Composition Tracking (14:08)
Dr. Kelly Swanson: Another measurement is the DEXA scan, or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We can sedate the animals, scan them, and determine percentages of fat mass, lean mass, and bone mass.
Scott Sorrell: I wanted to ask you about that. How do you do it?
Dr. Kelly Swanson: You have to sedate the animals, but it’s noninvasive. We give them a reversal agent, they wake back up, and they go on with their day.
Connie Liang: It only takes about 10 minutes.
Dr. Kelly Swanson: We have the equipment at the veterinary school, so Connie takes them to that facility for the DEXA scans.
It’s a useful measurement. We’re measuring hormones and metabolites in the blood and many other things, but DEXA is particularly valuable because a body-weight measurement alone doesn’t tell you how much is lean mass versus fat mass.
It’s similar to yo-yo dieting in humans. When you lose weight, you may lose a combination of fat and lean mass. When you regain weight, much of that gain may be fat. Over time, you can end up with less muscle and more fat. That’s why body composition is such an important outcome.
Activity Monitoring & Owner Compliance Challenges (15:08)
Dr. Kelly Swanson: Our dogs are neutered and spayed, so they may not be as active. That’s similar to what we see in homes as well.
We’ve done studies with cats that have running wheels. If they use the running wheel, they get more exercise. If they lie down and sleep on it, they don’t. It’s like having a treadmill at home. You have to actually get on it.
Scott Sorrell: It’s not a place to hang your clothes. [laughter]
Dr. Kelly Swanson: Exactly.
In this study, we try to keep everything really consistent. We’re looking at whether the diet, or simply weight loss itself, influences activity. Typically, activity increases as excess weight comes off.
It would also be interesting to know whether particular dietary combinations could increase activity, or whether there are other management strategies that could help. Those questions aren’t necessarily part of Connie’s current project, but we’ve studied similar things before.
The risk factors for obesity, and the comorbidities that come with it, are pretty similar to what we see in humans. A lot of Connie’s literature review focuses on identifying the issues and figuring out what we can manage.
A lot of pets have lifestyles similar to ours. People are busy, pets may spend more time indoors, and that can raise the risk of obesity. At the same time, there is plenty of great food around. The pet food industry has done a great job producing highly palatable, digestible foods.
The challenge is not overeating.
Scott Sorrell: Like we said earlier, it’s usually not the dog’s fault. It’s the pet parent’s responsibility. I’m not sure owners always understand when an animal is overweight.
Connie Liang: That’s a huge problem. Some owners don’t understand body condition scoring.
Scott Sorrell: I know what it is. I was a livestock judge back in the day, on the Ohio State livestock judging team. We learned to evaluate levels of fat on animals, and it’s something you have to learn to do.
Connie Liang: Some owners say, “My dog isn’t obese. Look, it’s not obese.” But you know that it is.
Scott Sorrell: He’s just fluffy.
Dr. Kelly Swanson: Exactly. [laughter] Depending on the hair coat, it can be tricky. You really have to feel the animal if you’re going to body condition score correctly.
We usually use a nine-point scale. Nine is very obese, one is emaciated, and you’re usually trying to be somewhere around five, perhaps within the four-to-six range.
Targeting Controlled Weight Loss Rates (17:56)
Dr. Kelly Swanson: If you can keep animals away from an eight or nine, reducing that stress on the body is valuable.
In the lab, Connie weighs the dogs every Sunday. We’re targeting 1.5% body weight loss per week, so it’s controlled, relatively slow weight loss.
Scott Sorrell: Say that again.
Dr. Kelly Swanson: About 1.5% of body weight per week.
If weight loss happens too quickly, they can lose more lean mass.
Connie Liang: That’s also bad.
Dr. Kelly Swanson: Yes. Metabolically, it’s more of a shock to the system.
She’ll reduce the food intake, and for a couple of weeks that works fine. Then the dogs may stop losing weight, so you have to keep adjusting.
At home, whether it’s begging or simply because pets are motivated by food, it’s difficult. It takes discipline from the owner to keep the process going.
I’m sure Connie will get many of her dogs to their target weight by the end of the roughly six-month study. A lot of people at home may not make it all the way to the target.
But even if you get a pet halfway there, that’s still much better for its health.
Preliminary Findings & Transit Time Dynamics (19:09)
Scott Sorrell: Let’s talk about the results so far. Any key findings or surprises? Or did you find pretty much what you expected?
Connie Liang: I can talk about the previous study because the current study is still ongoing.
In the previous study, we saw changes in the microbiome.
Dr. Kelly Swanson: Yes.
Connie Liang: We also saw changes in transit time and activity. Activity was very low toward the end, and transit time changed.
Dr. Kelly Swanson: Her first study asked whether polyphenols could inhibit weight gain. We let the dogs overeat to see whether the treatment would slow weight gain. That study finished, and now we’re taking the weight back off.
We measured transit time because it’s one of the factors that can influence the microbiome. Human studies have shown that when something moves through the gastrointestinal tract more quickly, nutrient digestibility changes. What reaches the colon changes, and consequently the microbiome can change.
We’ve even seen that with the same food. Simply overfeeding an animal can alter the microbiome. That’s one reason we’re beginning to measure transit time more regularly.
Fiber Types, Viscosity & Stool Quality (20:33)
Scott Sorrell: Does increasing transit time with more fiber have a negative effect? I’m not sure whether you have the data yet.
Connie Liang: In that study, it wasn’t necessarily the fiber or polyphenols affecting it as much as the weight gain and amount of food being consumed. When they eat a lot, things may move through more quickly.
Dr. Kelly Swanson: Fibers can vary quite a bit in their solubility and viscosity. Some slow things down, while others speed things up.
If you get too much of a good thing, you can run into stool-quality issues, which is an important consideration for the pet food industry.
Fiber isn’t responsible for everything, but it’s certainly part of the equation. If you have a constipated pet, for example, adding certain fiber can help with regularity. But you also have to be careful. Too much fiber or excessive fermentation could contribute to poor stool quality.
There’s a sweet spot. The appropriate inclusion level depends on the source and characteristics of the fiber.
Connie isn’t specifically testing all those variables in this project, but that could certainly be an area for future work. Depending on where she goes and what she’s doing professionally, those could become formulation questions she investigates.
Scott Sorrell: Let’s talk about that.
Connie’s Career Goals After Graduation (22:18)
Scott Sorrell: So, when do you graduate?
Connie Liang: Maybe next year.
Scott Sorrell: Next year. And what are your plans after graduation?
Connie Liang: I want to continue studying, maybe as a postdoc.
Scott Sorrell: Okay, a postdoc.
Connie Liang: Yes. And maybe one day I’ll become a professor.
Scott Sorrell: Okay. So you think you’re going to stay in academia?
Connie Liang: Yes.
Scott Sorrell: You don’t want to head into industry, huh?
Global Pet Nutrition Challenges and Opportunities (26:19)
Dr. Kelly Swanson: I’ve been to China a couple of times, and I’m planning to go there again in the fall. I’m also going to Europe next week.
I’d say the opportunities and the issues are similar wherever you go. I can go to China, give a presentation, and participate in a panel afterward, and we hear almost the same questions. Obesity comes up. Can I feed a homemade diet? What about this? What about that?
Pet owners have many of the same questions, and we see many of the same health issues wherever we go. Of course, the ingredients and supply chains may differ somewhat by region.
We have a pretty diverse lab, with students from different parts of the world. For better or worse, when you think about obesity, sometimes we’re almost “killing them with kindness.” The question becomes: How do you manage or address that issue?
I’ve given presentations in quite a few different places, and the same questions keep coming up. That reinforces why I still want to travel and have these conversations. Yes, it’s a long flight to Shanghai or Beijing, but when you get there and have these discussions, it feels worthwhile.
If there were no questions, I might think, “Maybe I don’t need to give any more presentations.” But we’re continuing to educate people about strategies for supporting health and managing nutrition.
I always say that I go hoping to educate people, but I get a lot out of it as well. Those interactions are great.
Having students from different backgrounds and cultures reinforces that perspective. Some students come here and stay. They’re working here and may even be in the exhibit hall today. But many others go back home, where they can become that local resource.
China, for example, has tremendous opportunities in pet food, but there aren’t as many people who would be considered experts specifically in pet nutrition. There are pet health experts, but fewer who focus specifically on nutrition.
People like Connie, if she goes back and becomes a professor, can establish a research program there and help develop that expertise.
Preventative Nutrition in Veterinary Medicine (28:49)
Connie Liang: I want to help from the nutrition side because I’m a veterinarian in China. I’ve seen a lot of illness where sometimes you can’t save an animal’s life.
But if we focus on nutrition earlier, before they get sick, we can help them maintain their health for as long as possible.
Scott Sorrell: So we can address the problem earlier and in a more helpful way.
Connie Liang: Yes. That’s what I want to do. I think a lot of people in China are beginning to focus on this as well.
Scott Sorrell: Well said. Thank you for joining me today. I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide to do.
Hopefully, you’ll get that postdoc, go on to become a professor, and maybe I’ll have one of your students here with me for a Student Showcase in a few years.
Thank you, Connie.
Dr. Swanson, thank you for joining us as well. I found this very insightful, and I appreciate you bringing Connie along.
Podcast Closing & Viewer Resources (29:47)
Scott Sorrell: To the audience out there, thank you for coming along with us one more time. I hope you learned something, I hope you had some fun, and I hope to see you next time here on the Real Science Exchange, where it’s always happy hour and you’re always among friends.
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