For decades, scientists have studied how dietary restriction, without malnutrition, can increase life span and delay the onset of multiple age-related diseases in some mammals.

Research showed that maintaining optimal body condition from puppyhood and throughout life can improve both life span and health parameters in dogs.

In a 14-year study, Purina scientists were the first to prove the importance of keeping dogs in lean body condition from puppyhood and throughout their lives

In this landmark study, researchers monitored the health of 48 Labrador Retrievers throughout their lives during which half the dogs were fed 25% less (lean-fed) than their full-fed (control) siblings. The results showed that when dogs were fed to a lean body condition from puppyhood onward, lean-fed dogs lived better, for longer.

• Median life span was extended by 1.8 years or 15%. The mean lifespan for lean-fed dogs was 13 years compared to 11.2 years for control-fed dogs


• The 25% dietary restriction also delayed the onset of signs of chronic disease in these dogs4


• Diet restriction had no adverse effects on skeletal maturation, structure or metabolism

Lean-fed puppies have healthier hips

By 2 years of age, the frequency of hip dysplasia in the lean-fed dogs was 50% less than in the control group, and was much less severe.  

The proportion of 12-year old dogs in the lean-fed group with OA was almost the same as that of control-fed dogs that were half that age. 

By the end of the study, 83% of dogs fed the control diet had developed radiographic signs of hip OA compared to 50% of the lean-fed group