Alternative Dietary Fiber Sources in Companion Animal Nutrition

Abstract

The US has a pet population of approximately 70 million dogs and 74 million cats. Humans have developed a strong emotional bond with companion animals. As a consequence, pet owners seek ways to improve health, quality of life and longevity of their pets. Advances in canine and feline nutrition have contributed to improved longevity and well-being. Dietary fibers have gained renewed interest in the pet food industry, due to their important role in affecting laxation and stool quality. More recently, because of increased awareness of the beneficial effects of dietary fibers in health, as well as the popularity of functional foods and holistic and natural diets, alternative and novel carbohydrates have become widespread in human and pet nutrition. Fiber sources from cereal grains, whole grains and fruits have received increasing attention by the pet food industry and pet owners. While limited scientific information is available on the nutritional and nutraceutical properties of alternative fiber sources, studies indicate that corn fiber is an efficacious fiber source for pets, showing no detrimental effects on palatability or nutrient digestibility, while lowering the glycemic response in adult dogs. Fruit fiber and pomaces have good water-binding properties, which may be advantageous in wet pet food production, where a greater water content is required, along with low water activity and a firm texture of the final product. Rice bran is a palatable fiber source for dogs and may be an economical alternative to prebiotic supplementation of pet foods. However, it increases the dietary requirement of taurine in cats. Barley up to 40% in a dry extruded diet is well tolerated by adult dogs. In addition, consumption of complex carbohydrates has shown a protective effect on cardiovascular disease and oxidative stress. Alternative fiber sources are suitable ingredients for pet foods. They have been shown to be nutritionally adequate and to have potential nutraceutical properties.

The Effects of Fiber Inclusion on Pet Food Sensory Characteristics and Palatability

“…In addition it has been found that fibers in combination with proteins help regulate satiety levels in dogs [2]. Furthermore, fibers may help regulate the digestive process and the glycemic response in dogs and cats [3,4]. Depending on the fiber type and consumed amount, different effects on nutrient digestibility and fecal formation can be promoted [4].…”

“…Corn fiber, fruit fibers, rice bran, and whole grains are some of the other fiber sources available for use in pet foods [3]. Full-fat rice bran was tested for palatability and digestibility in pet foods by Pacheco et al [9].…”

Barley as an alternative to rice in dog food

“…Corn has the highest glycemic index, followed by rice, with barley having the lowest. A low glycemic index is useful for diabetic and obese dogs (9). However, some dogs that could not tolerate β-glucans were observed to have loose or watery stools (1,9).…”

“…Murray et al (12) reported that loss of organic matter in vitro was higher in barley than in rice. It has been reported that barley added to dry dog food up to 40% is well tolerated by adult dogs and that complex carbohydrates protect against oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease (9).…”

“…Like humans, dogs are also susceptible to chronic digestive diseases. Therefore, it is thought that the use of oats and barley may be beneficial in the control of obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in dogs (9). Complex carbohydrates in barley have advantages such as having less energy than starch, lengthening satiety, increasing the viscosity in the digestive system, and slowing digestion and absorption (10).…”