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Effects of Fiber on Digestibility and Transit Time in Dogs

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This study examines effects of variations in fiber content on nutrient assimilation, fecal output, and gastrointestinal transit time in the dog. Four normal Beagles were fed four diets in a randomized block design. The basal diet was a canned, balanced, meat-based dog food (Alpo Trio) to which added 3, 6, and 9% by weight of alpha cellulose (Solka Flok). Food intake and fecal outputs were recorded for 5-day periods. Samples of diets and fecal collections were analyzed for dry matter, nitrogen, fat, carbohydrate and ash; digestibilities were calculated. Transit times were measured by a radiographic marker technique. Fecal weight and water increased linearly; digestibility of dry matter decreased from 90 to 70% and ash from 43 to 32% with added fiber. Responses of protein, carbohydrate and fat were less pronounced but were regular; regressions of their digestibilities on added fiber were significant. Regression estimate of true digestibility for alpha-cellulose was 6%. Intestinal transit time decreased from a mean of 37.4 to 28.7 hours with added fiber. Decreased intestinal time would contribute to depression of fry matter digestibility. Increased fecal water output probably also reflected retention by fiber.
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... Rather, it was expected that the 15C treatment would result in the lowest digestibility due to the increased dietary fiber content and greatest fecal output. Previous studies have reported the effects of dietary fiber on gastric emptying, digesta transit time, and nutrient digestibility in dogs (Burrows et al., 1982;Russell and Bass, 1985;Fahey et al., 1990). Russell and Bass (1985) concluded that an increase in dietary fiber content and viscosity resulted in slowed gastric emptying in dogs. ...
... Russell and Bass (1985) concluded that an increase in dietary fiber content and viscosity resulted in slowed gastric emptying in dogs. However, Burrows et al. (1982) reported a decrease in intestinal transit time with added dietary fiber in dogs. Therefore, decreased transit time could explain a decrease in nutrient digestibility (Burrows et al., 1982). ...
... However, Burrows et al. (1982) reported a decrease in intestinal transit time with added dietary fiber in dogs. Therefore, decreased transit time could explain a decrease in nutrient digestibility (Burrows et al., 1982). Fahey et al. (1990) reported that increased dietary fiber did not impact digesta mean retention time of dogs, but still decreased dry matter and organic matter digestibility. ...
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There has been increased interest among pet owners to feed vegetarian diets to their pets. However, the primary protein sources used in pet food today are animal based, warranting a need to evaluate novel plant-based ingredients to meet the protein demand. Corn fermented protein (CFP), a coproduct from ethanol production, may provide a plant-based alternative protein source for pet food. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the effects of increasing levels of CFP on extrusion processing, stool quality, apparent total tract digestibility, and palatability in dog diets. Four extruded diets were fed to 12 adult beagle dogs in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. The control diet contained 15% soybean meal (0C) and CFP was exchanged at either 5%, 10%, or 15% of soybean meal (5C, 10C, and 15C, respectively). Dogs were fed each dietary treatment for 9 days of adaption followed by 5 days of total fecal collection. Feces were scored on a 1–5 scale, with 1 representing liquid diarrhea and 5 representing hard pellet-like. Titanium dioxide (0.4%) was added to all diets as an external marker to estimate digestibility. Data were analyzed using orthogonal contrasts in SAS (version 9.4; SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Dry bulk density of kibble decreased ( P < 0.05), whereas kibble toughness increased ( P < 0.05) with CFP inclusion. Fecal dry matter, dry fecal output, and defecations per day increased ( P < 0.05) when dogs were fed increased levels of CFP. Dry matter and crude protein digestibility of CFP treatments were comparable ( P > 0.05) to 0C. There was a decrease ( P < 0.05) in organic matter, crude fat, gross energy, and total dietary fiber digestibility in the CFP treatments compared with 0C. A cubic relationship ( P < 0.05) was observed in the digestibility of all nutrients except crude fat, indicating that 10C resulted in the lowest digestibility. For the palatability assessment, dogs had no preference when comparing the 5C treatment with the 0C treatment. Even with the differences in dietary treatments, inclusion of CFP at 5%, 10%, and 15% still resulted in acceptable processing parameters, kibble characteristics, and utilization when fed to dogs.
... Fecal quality results revealed an increase in fecal mass with the supplemented diets, accompanied by a decrease in fecal dry matter, which reached significance only in the SYN+ diet. These findings align with the known water-holding and bulking effects of fibers [51]. Notably, fecal consistency scores remained unaffected by the diet, indicating that the external fecal appearance did not change. ...
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This study evaluated the effects of two synbiotic strategies on the intestinal microbiota and immune response in Beagle dogs. Twelve dogs were subjected to a crossover design with three diets: a control diet (CON), a diet supplemented with fiber and B. velezensis DSM 15544 (SYN), and the SYN diet with added porcine plasma (SYN+). Over three periods of seven weeks, fecal samples were analyzed for digestibility, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), fecal markers, and microbiome composition, while blood samples were assessed for biochemical parameters, leucocytic counts including CD4/CD8 lymphocyte populations, and phagocytic activity. Both SYN and SYN+ diets increased the fecal volume without affecting the consistency and slightly reduced the organic matter and energy digestibility, while increasing SCFA concentrations and reducing branched-chain fatty acids. A microbiome analysis revealed no changes in the alpha diversity, but significant shifts in the beta diversity, with increases in beneficial taxa such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and reductions in potentially harmful bacteria like Prevotella copri. Immune response indicators showed increased fecal IgA and higher blood leukocyte counts, particularly lymphocytes and neutrophils, in the SYN diet group. Overall, both synbiotic strategies positively modulated the microbiota and immune response, though the addition of porcine plasma did not confer additional benefits.
... Several factors have been reported to affect stool quality, including intake, fiber content, nutrient digestibility, transit time, and gut fermentation activity [68,77]. Fiber plays a key role in fecal output and characteristics as the water-holding characteristics of structural polysaccharides, such as those of algae cell walls, promote a bulking effect and shorten gastrointestinal transit time, thus increasing fecal mass excretion [78]. However, algal blend supplementation up to 1.5 % (DM basis) had no impact on NDF content (228 g/kg) and slightly increased ADF content (56.7-58.1 g/kg) of diets. ...
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The promotion of dogs' nutrition, health, and well-being are highly valued by pet owners, leading to an increasing interest in pet food with alternative, functional, and more sustainable supplements, such as algae. Few studies have assessed the supplementation of dog food with individual algae species, but no information exists on combined macro- and microalgae. This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation of a commercial algal blend, composed of two macroalgae (Ulva rigida and Fucus vesiculosus) and one microalga (Chlorella vulgaris) on palatability, intake, digestibility, metabolizable energy (ME), and fecal characteristics, metabolites, and microbiota of adult healthy Beagle dogs. Palatability was assessed by comparing a complete diet without (control) and with 1.5 % algae blend using twelve dogs. Then, six of these dogs were randomly selected for the digestibility trials. Following an initial trial to determine the control diet digestibility, a replicated Latin square was performed with three experimental periods of 10 days each, and three algal blend supplementation levels (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 %). Dietary algal blend did not affect the first approach and first taste, but dogs preferred the control diet. Algal blend levels had no impact on intake, but organic matter, fiber, and energy digestibility increased with 1.5 % inclusion compared with 0.5 %. At the highest level, algae blend promoted fecal total short chain fatty acids and acetate while at lowest fecal propionate decreased and fecal production increased. Compared with the control diet, algal blend-supplemented diets promoted most nutrients and energy digestibility, diet ME content, and fecal quality, while reducing fecal butyrate. Fecal microbiota diversity and abundance were mostly unaffected by algae blend supplementation, with health-promoting genera Turicibacter and Blautia being the most abundant in all samples. Overall, results suggest algal blend as a promising alternative supplement for dog food, but further research is needed to unveil potential health-promoting effects.
... The gastrointestinal transit time (GTT) was evaluated according to Burrows et al. (1982) and Loureiro et al. (2017), with adaptations. The test lasted 5 days, and on the 19th, 20th and 21st days of the experimental period, the animals continued to receive their respective diets, and gelatine capsules containing impregnated polyvinyl chloride markers were administered immediately after ingestion of the morning meal during these 3 days (SITZMARKS, Konsyl Pharmaceuticals Inc., Fort Worth, Texas USA). ...
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Large dog breeds commonly produce unformed faeces. The present study hypothesised that foods for large dog breeds require higher starch gelatinisation (SG) to reduce organic matter flow to colon. Fifteen Rottweilers (Ro; 49.4 ± 6.12 kg), 18 Beagles (Be; 12.13 ± 1.75 kg) and 20 Shih‐Tzus (ST; 4.62 ± 1.15 kg) were fed one of three diets, all based on the same sorghum formulation, processed to obtain three levels of SG: SG90 (91.8% SG), SG50 (50.7% SG) and SG30 (27.4% SG). Foods were provided for 23 days, and the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients, faecal production and fermentation products, Na, K and Cl apparent absorption and gastrointestinal transit time (GTT) were evaluated. Results were submitted to analysis of variance considering SG, breed and their interactions, and means compared by the Tukey test ( p < 0.05). All dogs promptly ate the foods. Faeces scores were lower for Ro than for Be and ST, and lower for SG30 than SG90 ( p < 0.05). Faeces pH was higher, and total short‐chain fatty acids were lower for SG90 than for SG50 and SG30 ( p < 0.01), regardless of breed. No diet effect was observed for GTT ( p > 0.05), but it was lower for Ro (41.7 ± 6.2 h) than for ST (48.7 ± 8.6 h). The CTTAD of nutrients was lower for SG30, intermediary for SG50 and higher for SG90 ( p < 0.05), and among breeds CTTAD was higher for Be than ST and Ro ( p < 0.05), which did not differ from each other, except for crude protein CTTAD which was lower for Ro ( p < 0.05). The apparent absorption of Na and K was higher for the SG90 treatment, and for Be in comparison with Ro and ST ( p < 0.05). Food SG had a remarkable influence on Ro faeces formation and on the CTTAD in all breeds. Greater fermentation in the colon and lower protein CTTAD may be involved in Ro unformed faeces formation.
... The decreased nutrient digestibility of the CFP treatment compared to the BDY treatment is likely due to the increased dietary fiber content of CFP. As increased dietary fiber has been known to decrease nutrient digestibility in both dogs and cats (Burrows et al., 1982;Fahey et al., 1990;Sunvold et al., 1995;Fischer et al., 2012). The TDF digestibility in the current study was higher than expected however values are similar to those reported for diets containing SBM and yeast fed to cats (Holt and Aldrich, 2022). ...
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The inclusion of yeast in pet food can provide health benefits and increase palatability. Corn fermented protein is a co-product from ethanol production which contains approximately 20-25% yeast. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the yeast in CFP on diet production and utilization when fed to healthy adult cats. The four experimental diets included a control with 15% soybean meal (CON) and diets containing either 3.5% brewer's dried yeast (BDY), 2.5% brewer's dried yeast plus 17.5% distillers dried grains with solubles (BDY+DDGS), or 17.5% corn fermented protein (CFP). All treatments except CON were formulated to contain 3.5% yeast. Experimental diets were fed to adult cats (n = 11) in an incomplete 4 x 4 replicated Latin square design. Cats were adapted to diet for 9 days followed by a 5-d total fecal collection. Titanium dioxide (0.4%) was added to all diets as an external marker to estimate digestibility. Data were analyzed using a mixed model in SAS (version 9.4, SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC) with treatment as a fixed effect and cat and period as random effects. Preconditioner discharge temperature was greater (P < 0.05) for CON and BDY (average, 96°C) compared to BDY+DDGS and CFP (average, 91°C). Extruder screw speed, die temperature, kibble toughness, and kibble hardness were greatest (P < 0.05) for CFP. The bulk density of BDY+DDGS at 392 g/L was greater (P < 0.05) than BDY and CFP (average, 342 g/L). The sectional expansion index of kibble for CFP was greater (P < 0.05) than BDY+DDGS and smaller (P < 0.05) than CON but similar to BDY. Fecal output was greatest (P < 0.05) for cats fed BDY+DDGS. Nutrient digestibility was lowest (P < 0.05) for BDY+DDGS. The concentrations of short-chain and branched-chain fatty acids in fecal samples were not altered (P > 0.05) by dietary treatment. Cats had no preference (P > 0.05) when comparing CON to BDY or BDY+DDGS. However, cats consumed significantly less CFP compared to CON. The significant differences for bulk density, fecal output, and nutrient digestibility among dietary treatments are likely due to a greater fiber effect of DDGS compared to CFP. Therefore, the yeast component in CFP may provide greater kibble expansion and nutrient utilization compared to DDGS when fed to cats.
... The present results are in agreement with those in previous studies which reported the negative effects of fiber on energy and nutrient digestibility in dogs [24,[37][38][39]. Fibers are less digestible than starch, protein, and fat due to the lack of fiber-degrading enzymes secreted in the stomach and the small intestine of dogs, although microbes in the large intestine may partially digest dietary fiber [40][41][42]. In addition, fibers potentially disturb the degradation of other nutrients by exogenous enzymes [43], which explains the negative correlation between dietary NDF and IVID of CP in this work. ...
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The aims of this study were to determine in vitro ileal disappearance (IVID) of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) in commercial dog diets and to develop equations for predicting the IVID of DM and CP in dog diets based on chemical composition. Eighteen commercial dog diets were analyzed for IVID of DM and CP using a two-step in vitro procedure for dogs. The diet samples in flasks with digestive enzymes were incubated for 2 h and 4 h to simulate digestion in the stomach and the small intestine, respectively. The contents of CP, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and ash in the diets ranged from 14.4 to 42.5%, 3.5 to 23.5%, 6.4 to 34.6%, and 4.9 to 10.0%, respectively, on an as-is basis. The NDF contents were negatively correlated with the IVID of DM and CP (r = −0.73 and r = −0.62, respectively; p < 0.05). The most suitable prediction equations for the IVID of DM and CP in the dog diets were: IVID of DM (%) = 81.33 + 0.46 × CP − 0.77 × NDF, R2 = 0.78; IVID of CP (%) = 81.25 + 0.33 × CP − 0.49 × NDF, R2 = 0.64, where all nutrients were in % on an as-is basis. In conclusion, dry matter and protein utilization of dog diets based on in vitro digestibility assays can be estimated fairly well using protein and fiber concentrations as independent variables.
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The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro predictions of digestibility at each age (puppy, adult, and senior) in dogs of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), gross energy (GE), crude fiber (CF), and ether extract (EE) using dog diets. First, to determine the digestibility of dog diets using pepsin and pancreatin incubations, conduct the in vitro method. Later, 18 mixed-sex beagles were used in this experiment to compare in vivo digestibility. Beagles are divided into 3 groups according to their age and body weight: six puppies (under 1-year-old; 6.21 ± 0.56 kg), six adult dogs (2 to 7 years old; 8.16 ± 0.64 kg), and six senior dogs (over 8 years old; 6.95 ± 1.39 kg). Except for DM in puppies and adult dogs, in all cases, in vitro digestibility values were higher than in vivo digestibility values (p < 0.05). In puppies, there were strong relationships for DM and GE with r² values of 0.95 and 0.84, respectively, between in vitro and in vivo digestibility. Also, in adult dogs, there were strong relationships for DM and GE with r² values of 0.97 and 0.84, respectively, between in vitro and in vivo digestibility. However, in senior dogs, there was a lower relationship for DM, OM, CP, GE, CF, and EE with r² values of 0.18, 0.42, 0.01, 0.02, 0.11, and 0.04, respectively, between in vitro and in vivo digestibility. In conclusion, in vitro, the prediction of nutrient digestibility of DM and GE in puppies and adult dogs seems to have significant potential for practical application. However, additional research is needed to compare senior dogs with the in vitro method.
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The use of fruit fibres as a way of reusing industrial waste is attractive and necessary, increasing the efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of the industry. This study characterized guava fibre as a fibrous ingredient and evaluated its effects when included in extruded diets for dogs on nutrient digestibility, faecal traits, fermentation products, gastrointestinal transit time and palatability. Four diets were formulated: CO (control diet, no fibrous ingredients added), GF3 (3% guava fibre), GF6 (6% guava fibre) and GF12 (12% guava fibre). The guava fibre was added to diets in replacement of maize, with small adjustments in the other ingredients to ensure similar contents of protein and fat. The diets were fed to 24 adult Beagle dogs (6 per diet) during 15 days for adaptation followed by 15 days for assessment of digestibility, fermentation end products and gastrointestinal transit time. The palatability of G6 and G12 treatments was evaluated against the CO by the two‐pan test. Results were compared by analysis of variance and polynomial contrasts according to the guava fibre inclusion level ( p < 0.05). The addition of guava fibre did not change nutrient intake except for the increase on dietary fibre ( p < 0.001). Fibre inclusion resulted in a quadratic reduction in total tract apparent digestibility for dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and crude energy ( p < 0.001), and on the metabolizable energy content of the foods ( p < 0.001). Guava fibre addition did not change the faecal concentration of ammonia, lactic acid, faecal pH and branched chain fatty acids but it decreased acetic and propionic acids concentration ( p < 0.01). The inclusion of 12% guava fibre did result in a faster transit time ( p = 0.046) compared to the control diet. Guava fibre can be characterized as a novel insoluble non‐fermentable fibre source that could be safely used in levels up to 12% in canine extruded diets.
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Two commercial type diets, one a cereal based dry food, the other a fortified all meat canned food were fed to male and female adult beagle dogs to evaluate effects of diet on rate of digesta passage and organic acid concentration along the gastrointestinal tract. Passage of fluid and particulate markers through the tract was fairly rapid. The stomach was the major site of digesta marker retention, especially particulate marker. There was no other point along the tract where particulate markers were selec tively retained. The rate of passage for the meat diet was slower than for the cereal diet. The pH of the stomach dropped significantly 2 hours post- feeding, continued to drop at 4 and 8 hours, then increased rapidly by 12 hours, reflecting changes in stomach fill. The pH of digesta in the cecum and colon of cereal fed dogs was significantly lower than that of meat fed dogs. Concentrations of lactic acid in the various segments of the gastro intestinal tract were generally greater in cereal fed dogs except for the stomach where the concentration was the highest for dogs fed meat at a period 2 hours post-feeding. Concentrations of VFA were highest in the cecum and colon and were not significantly affected by diet. The nutritional and possible physiological importance is discussed. J. Nutr. 109: 1592-
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