Eureka!: Young Scientist Demonstrates Benefits of Wellness
Although there is no shortage of empirical evidence about the advantages of an all-natural pet diet, there's always room for more research. In fact, a new study from an emerging scientist has produced some compelling data, further supporting the position that organic, natural foods confer significant health benefits for pets.
A Different Type of Science Project
This recent addition to a growing body of research comes from an enthusiastic and diligent young mind - that of Travis Wells, a student at McCullough Junior High, The Woodlands, Texas. For his eighth grade science project, Travis focused his intellect on demonstrating the effects of diet on dog health, as measured by hair growth. In an eight-page research paper that would ultimately earn a grade of 99, he reported that "healthy dogs have healthy skin and coats," then reasoned that, "by examining fur growth one can possibly determine overall health of the animal."
The Experiment
Travis stated his hypothesis in this way: "If dogs are fed premium brand gourmet formula dog food, then their fur will grow faster than the fur of dogs eating cheaper dog food." After talking the talk, he went out and walked the walk, proving his theory by way of a simple but highly effective experiment. With eight dogs (forming two experimental groups, each with one King Charles Cavalier, one Labrador, one Poodle and one Terrier) as his subjects, Travis had a veterinarian shave a four-square-inch patch on the flank of each animal, then fed the four dogs of Group A a leading grocery brand, and the Group B animals Wellness. Over the course of the six-week trial, the rate of hair growth was recorded for each breed. (Wellness products were made available by Wellness representative Wendy Dworkin as well as local pet retailers Biff Picone and Nadine Jolie-Coeur, co-owners of Natural Pawz. The Wells are regular customers of the retailers' two stores in The Woodlands and Spring, Texas.)
And the Results...
In his well-presented report, Travis demonstrated that, over the course of the trial, "results indicate that the average fur growth was better in dogs eating a diet of premium brand dog food." Moreover, Travis found that "pet owners of group A whose dogs were eating a leading grocery brand, complained about the amount of water being consumed by the dogs….Another complaint from these dog owners was the increased amount of excrement they had to pick up."
Based on his work, Travis recommended that "pet owners read nutrition labels and choose a food containing 20 -25% protein from a good quality source and 15 - 19% fat. Good dog food will not have grain listed in the top 4 ingredients. Vitamin E, omega 3 and 6 are important for healthy skin and coat. A consumer will not want to see wheat, corn, chicken by-products, soy or gluten listed because these products are hard to digest."
Perhaps his most eloquently articulated conclusion was this: "People love their pets and should feed them good nutritious food."
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