Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition

The Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition is a research organisation owned by Mars, Incorporated located at Waltham on the Wolds, Leicestershire, United Kingdom. Waltham conducts scientific research into pet care and nutrition, and works with a number of animal breeds including dogs, cats, birds, fish and horses.

History

The Pet Food subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated (Mars Petcare) began research into pet nutrition in the early 1950s, formally founding a Nutrition Research Unit in 1965.^[1] Originally the institute was housed at a nearby location but was moved to an old stud farm at Waltham-on-the-Wolds in 1973.^[2]

Since 2001, a non-charitable organisation called the Waltham Foundation has funded a number of humane scientific research projects dedicated to furthering the health and nutrition of companion animals.^[3]

Research

The research activities of The Waltham Centre have largely contributed to the scientific understanding of companion animal nutrition. Some of the key achievements of the organisation include:

• 1963 – Scientific paper specifying the iodine requirements of budgerigars
• 1975 – Determined the amino acid requirements of adult dogs
• 1982 – Defined healthy taurine levels in cats
• 1995 – Developed the first diet to help control the formation of both struvite and calcium oxalate bladder stones in cats
• 1997 – First proof that the natural carotenoid, lutein, in the diet enhances colour in the common goldfish
• 1998 – Developed the first real-time, non-invasive measure of odiferous flatulence in dogs and the first nutritional supplement to reduce it
• 1999 – Developed the only dog food supported by research data that uses green lipped mussel to maintain joint health
• 2000 – First demonstration of the effects of dietary antioxidants on puppy and kitten immune response
• 2002 – Launched the first scientifically proven respiratory support formula for horses
• 2005 – Developed the first Lactobacillus probiotic approved for use in cats and dogs
• 2012 - Through the Advance label in Australia, the launch of the first mixed-breed dog DNA test

Additional achievements include:

• In July 2005, in collaboration with the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Pennsylvania, Waltham discovered that cats cannot taste sweet food because they have a faulty gene. Lions, tigers, leopards and pumas (Felidae family) have the same defective gene.^[4]
• In April 2007, in collaboration with the National Human Genome Research Institute of Bethesda, Maryland, Waltham found that the genetic variation of dogs' size is due to mutations in the IGF-1 gene. This was discovered through research on the Portuguese Water Dog. This research was preparatory work for similar studies on the human genome.
• In August 2011, with work with the University of Aberdeen they found that cats gained less weight when fed a moisture-enhanced diet.^[5]

Publications

• Waltham originally published the magazine entitled the Waltham Focus four times a year. The magazine has since been renamed to be called the Veterinary Focus. This is distributed in more than fifty countries and is published in several languages.^[6]
• The Waltham Book of Companion Animal Nutrition, 15 July 1993, Butterworth–Heinemann, 136pp, ISBN 0-08-040843-5
• The Waltham Book of Human Animal Interaction, 30 September 1995,Butterworth–Heinemann , 148pp, ISBN 0-08-042284-5 HC 0-08-042285-3 PB

Structure

Waltham houses and cares for around 150 dogs, 230 cats and 250 birds. Many of the companion animals involved with the organisation are adopted after a period of time. The UK headquarters of Mars was built next to the Centre in 1981.

Brands

Mars, Incorporated utilises the Waltham Centre research data in the formulation of a number of pet food products. Some of the brands associated with this research include:

• Catsan
• Frolic
• Aquarian
• Kitekat
• Equivite
• Whiskas
• Trill
• Pal
• Banfield
• Royal Canin
• Sheba
• Cesar
• Winergy
• Chappie
• Pedigree
• Buckeye
• Advance
• Optimum
• Perfect Fit
• Spillers
• Katkins
• Greenies
• Golden Cob
• Profilum
• WholeMeals
• Nutro

References

Additional reading

• The Times, 1 November 1997, page 16
• The Independent, 10 June 2001, page 20

External links

• Waltham