In this experiment, two inclusion levels (15 and 30% of diets, as-fed basis) of brown rice (BR) were tested against a control diet with 0% BR (51% wheat flour of diet). Six female Maltese (8~9 months age, initial mean body weight of 2.8±0.3 kg) were assigned to treatments in replicated 3×3 Latin square design. Total tract digestibilities of DM, OM, acid hydrolyzed fat, CP and gross energy by dogs fed experimental diets responded quadratically (P<0.01 or <0.05) to BR inclusion levels. Similarly, quadratic responses (P<0.001, P=0.015) were observed for digestible energy and metabolizable energy values, respectively. Wet and dry fecal output also exhibited quadratic responses (P=0.006, P=0.014, respectively) but no differences were observed between control and BR 30% diets. Linear (P=0.008) effect was observed for fecal score in dogs fed BR,and fecal ammonia concentration increased linearly (P=0.001) in response to increasing BR inclusion levels. It seems that the increase in fecal ammonia concentration may be partially related to the decrease tendency (P=0.07) in short-chain fatty acid concentration. In this experiment, inclusion of BR in dog diet did not result in pronounced changes in the digestibility but in fecal score. Although inclusion of BR in diets showed profound positive effect on fecal score, it is confounded by the high inclusion level of poultry offal meal.
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