Digestibility of a Lignocellulose Supplemented Diet and Fecal Quality in Beagle Dogs

Abstract

Lignocellulose (LC) might be used as a substitute fiber source for dogs as a strategy to decrease energy density and enhance gastrointestinal functionality. The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of including different levels of LC on apparent nutrient digestibility and fecal parameters (dry matter (DM), fecal score, and daily fecal output), as well as fecal fatty acid concentrations. Four diets were tested: control diet (no supplementation of LC; LC0), and three control diets diluted with increasing levels of LC: 1, 2, and 4% (LC1, LC2, and LC4). Six Beagle dogs (BW 17.1 kg ± 1.22) participated in a crossover experimental design. Before each experimental period, five days were used as a wash-out period. The fecal consistency was scored based on a 5-point scale (1 = very hard; 2 = solid, well-formed “optimum”; 3 = soft, still formed; 4 = pasty, slushy; and 5 = watery diarrhea). The results demonstrated that the organic matter apparent digestibility (p = 0.01) and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) (p < 0.01) was significantly lower for dogs fed LC4 compared to those fed LC0. Dogs fed LC2 and LC4 had a lower fecal consistency score (2.39 and 2.18, respectively; p < 0.05). The fecal DM was significantly the highest (p < 0.01), and the daily fecal output on fresh matter was lower (p < 0.05) when dogs were fed the LC4 diet compared with the LC0 diet. Including LC at 1% in the diet resulted in significantly higher fecal acidic pH levels. However, no differences among treatments were noted regarding fecal fatty acid concentrations.

Effect of Different Fiber Sources as Additives to Wet Food for Beagle Dogs on Diet Acceptance, Digestibility, and Fecal Quality

“…Fecal consistency scores were calculated using a five-point scale: 1 for extremely hard feces; 2 for solid, well-formed, 'optimum' feces; 3 for soft, still-forming feces; 4 for pasty, slushy feces; and 5 for watery diarrhea, in accordance with Moxham [ 43 ], as shown in Figure 1 . The fecal form scoring system devised by Abd El-Wahab et al [ 44 ] involves a four-point scale (where 1 represents an individual fecal mass; 2, strong constrictions at the ‘optimal’ fecal surface; 3, cracks at the fecal surface; and 4, shapelessness), which was used to describe the shape of feces.…”

Impact of Animal By-Products on Diet Digestibility and Fecal Quality in Beagle Dogs

“…(VDLUFA) [ 18 ]. The dry matter (DM), crude ash, crude protein, and ether extract were determined as described by Abd El-Wahab et al [ 19 ]. Briefly, to calculate the DM content, the samples were dried for 12 h (103 °C) and weighed before and after.…”

“…Ion-exchange chromatography, using the amino acid analyzer LC 3000 (Biotronik, Maintal, Germany), was then used to assess the amino acid content as previously described [ 19 ]. The National Research Council (NRC) [ 17 ] suggested that the ME content of the diets be calculated based on their chemical composition.…”

Unveiling the potential of linseed mucilage, its health benefits, and applications in food packaging

“…Clinical trials provide evidence supporting that linseed mucilage, being abundant in soluble fiber, effectively contributes to the reduction of body weight ( 124 , 125 ). Another possible mechanism responsible for this is the significant decrease in energy intake ( 126 ).…”