Background-Phytoestrogens are non-steroidal compounds possessing estrogenic activity present in significant amounts in soy-based pet foods. There is speculation that long-term consumption of phytoestrogen-rich diets could have biological effects but this has never been evaluated in dogs.

One of the most frequent motivations for seeking veterinary attention for a cat is when the owner recognises a loss of normal appetite in his pet. The medical term for a lack of appetite for food is 'anorexia', and it may be partial or complete. While anorexia is a common manifestation of disease, the mechanisms underlying decreased food intake are complex and not completely understood. The regulation of appetite involves interaction of external stimuli with signals from the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. Aberrations in any of the internal control systems for hunger and satiety, or changes in external factors such as diet or feeding environment, can result in partial or total anorexia. The challenge for the practitioner is not only to diagnose and treat the underlying condition, but to recognise at what point inadequate food intake has or will impinge on the patient's nutritional status to the extent that it might deleteriously affect clinical outcome. It is also important to bear in mind the significance that the patient's appetite and food intake has for the cat owner in his overall perception of his pet's condition and quality of life.

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Adaptation to diets which replace carbohydrates with fat as an energy source have been shown to avoid insulin resistance and improve metabolic regulation during exercise. This study compared the effects of diet and moderate-intensity exercise on glucose and insulin concentrations in 12 trained Arabian geldings. Six Arabians were adapted for 8 weeks to a feed high AAVN Abstracts 2005 Reference Appel, L. J., 2000 The role of diet in the prevention and treatment of hypertension. Current Atherosclerosis Reports 2, 521-528.