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This study aimed to evaluate the effects of high-protein dried distillers grains (HPDDG) on palatability and metabolizable energy (ME) of the diet, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and energy, intestinal fermentation products, and fecal microbiota in dogs. Four diets containing 0, 70, 140, and 210 g/kg of HPDDG were manufactured. To evaluate the ME and the ATTD of macronutrients of HPDDG itself, an additional test diet was manufactured containing 70% of the control diet formula (0 g/kg) and 300 g/kg of HPDDG. Fifteen adult Beagle dogs were distributed in a randomized block design, with two periods of 15 d each (n = 6). The HPDDG digestibility was obtained using the Matterson substitution method. For the palatability test, 16 adult dogs were used, comparing the diets: 0 vs. 70 g/kg of HPDDG and 0 vs. 210 g/kg of HPDDG. The ATTD of HPDDG were: dry matter = 85.5%, crude protein = 91.2%, and acid-hydrolyzed ether extract = 84.6% and the ME content was 5,041.8 kcal/kg. The ATTD of macronutrients and ME of the diets and the fecal dry matter, score, pH, and ammonia of the dogs did not differ among treatments (P > 0.05). There was a linear increase in the fecal concentrations of valeric acid with the inclusion of HPDDG in the diet (P < 0.05). Streptococcus and Megamonas genera reduced linearly (P < 0.05), and Blautia, Lachnospira, Clostridiales, and Prevotella genera showed a quadratic response to the inclusion of HPDDG in the diet (P < 0.05). Alpha-diversity results showed an increase (P < 0.05) in the number of operational taxonomic units and Shannon index and a trend (P = 0.065) for a linear increase in the Chao-1 index with the dietary inclusion of HPDDG. Dogs preferred the 210 g/kg diet over the 0 g/kg HPDDG diet (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that the HPDDG evaluated does not affect the utilization of nutrients in the diet, but it may modulate the fecal microbiome of dogs. In addition, HPDDG may contribute to diet palatability for dogs.

This research aimed to evaluate the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, metabolisable energy (ME) and palatability of the diet, as well as products of intestinal fermentation and faecal microbiota of dogs fed with dried apple. For this purpose, three experiments were performed. In Experiment I, digestibility and ME of four diets containing 0%, 3%, 6% and 9% dried apple were evaluated, in addition to the faecal characteristics of the dogs. The diets were offered to eight adult dogs, distributed in double Latin square (4 × 4), totalling eight repetitions per treatment. In Experiment II, products of intestinal fermentation and faecal microbiota from 16 adult dogs fed diets containing 0% and 9% dried apple for 30 d (

Controlling the factors that influence the conservation of extruded dog foods can increase shelf life and/or guarantee the quality of shelf life of diets for these animals. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the relationship among water activity (Aw), moisture (M), acidity, lipid peroxidation, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), and kibble size of extruded dog foods stored in sealed and open packages for 60 days (Experiment I). We also evaluated the stability of the Aw for up to 6.5 hours after coating with palatant (Experiment II). We manufactured four extruded dry dog foods: high CP and EE (HPE); low CP and EE (LPE); small kibble (SK); and large kibble (LK). In experiment I, the foods were stored in sealed 1 kg packages and 10 kg open packages, for a period of 60 days. We measured Aw, M, acidity, peroxide, CP, and EE of foods and the relative humidity (RH). Data were subjected to Pearson correlation analysis. For experiment II, samples were collected immediately after coating with palatant. Sub samples were collected every half hour to measure Aw. In experiment I, positive correlations were observed (P0.05) among kibble size, M, and Aw; acidity, CP, EE, and M; and between Aw and RH, for open and sealed packages. There was also a positive correlation (P0.05) for open packages among time, Aw, and peroxide. In experiment II, LK and LPE food presented Aw stabilized in less time. Diets with higher kibble size and high CP and EE levels are more unstable if kept in open packages. Extruded dry food with higher protein and lipid and smaller kibble size needs more time to stabilize its Aw.

The objective was to evaluate the coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) and metabolisable energy (ME) of raw soybeans (RSB) in extruded diets for dogs by three methods (difference, regression and substitution). We also evaluated the urease and trypsin inhibitor (TI) activity, CTTAD, ME and faecal characteristics of adult dogs fed diets containing increasing RSB levels. Six dogs, distributed in a 6 × 6 Latin square design, were fed extruded diets containing 0, 60, 120, 180, 240 or 300 g of RSB/kg. Urease and TI were reduced in all diets after extrusion (p .05). The three methods can be used to determine RSB digestibility. Diet extrusion may not be able to completely deactivate the protease inhibitors present in the RSB.Highlights Extrusion may not be able to deactivate protease inhibitors of raw soybeans. Raw soybeans reduce nutrient digestibility of extruded diets in dogs. The substitution method is recommended to evaluate digestibility of raw soybeans.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects the inclusion of corn oil on the coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of dietary nutrients and palatability of dog foods, and on the faecal characteristics of dogs. Three experiments were carried out. In Experiment 1, the effects of diets with increasing CO concentrations (40, 80, and 120 g/kg) in replacement of poultry offal fat (POF) in the basal diet on the CTTAD of dietary nutrients, dietary metabolizable energy (ME) content and on dogs’ faecal characteristics were analysed in eight adult dogs distributed in a double Latin-square design (4 × 4). Experiment 2 evaluated the CTTAD of the nutrients in diets containing either corn or poultry offal fat used as fat sources in replacement of 92% of a basal diet containing beef tallow in nine adult dogs applying a randomized experimental design. Experiment 3 compared the palatability of diets containing either corn oil or poultry offal meal and coated or not with a palatant by first choice test and intake ratio (IR) calculation. Dietary CTTAD and ME content, and faecal characteristics were not different (P > 0.05) among diets with increasing CO concentrations or compared with the diet with POF. No differences (P > 0.05) in the CTTAD of acid-hydrolysis ether extract (AHEE) were detected between diets containing CO (98.62%) or POF (97.94%). The inclusion of CO in did not influence diet palatability (P > 0.05). These results indicate that corn oil may be utilized as fat source in dog foods.

Herbivorous primates present a selective consumption profile and morphological adaptations to use the fibrous fraction of their diets. Brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba) are generalist herbivores; however, when kept under human care, they usually receive diets rich in fruits and with insufficient amounts of fiber. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two levels of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in howlers on apparent total tract digestibility coefficients (ATTDC), fecal consistency, and intestinal fermentation products. A group of 26 adult howler monkeys, 13 males and 13 females, were fed two diets formulated to have 33% or 40% NDF for 11 days, according to a randomized block design (N = 26). The block factor was the enclosures with one, two, or three individuals (each enclosure corresponded to an experimental unit), totaling in eight replicates per treatment. There were no differences in dry matter and nutrients intake between treatments (p > 0.05). The diet with 33% NDF resulted in higher (p

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar três grupos genéticos de bovinos (Nelore puro, ½ Nelore + ½ Charolês e Charolês puro) sobre o ganho de peso diário. Os aninais foram mantidos numa pastagem de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, num período de 60 dias. Foram utilizados 45 animais, sendo 15 de cada grupo genético distribuídos aleatoriamente em três piquetes contendo Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. Os animais foram pesados antes de entrarem nos piquetes, o peso vivo médio era de 350 kg. Após o período de 60 dias os animais foram pesados e abatidos no frigorífico. Calculou-se o ganho de peso diário através da diferença entre o peso final e o peso inicial dos animais divido por 60 dias. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância e ao teste de Tukey a 5% para comparar as médias, se necessário, com auxílio do programa estatístico SAEG. Os tratamentos diferem estatisticamente entre si (P

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the microalgae Schizochytrium sp., as a dietary source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on dogs with gingivitis. Two diets containing 0 and 0.4% of microalgae Schizochytrium sp. were offered for 30 days to 12 randomly distributed adult Beagles to determine gingivitis. Gingivitis score and area were analyzed on days 0 and 30. Prior to the analysis, the area was gently cleaned with cotton wool on the surface of the crown of the teeth. There was no change in the gingivitis score (P>0.05). However, there was a reduction (P

Background Direct-fed microbials (DFM), such as Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis, may improve gut functionality of the host by favouring non-pathogenic bacteria and reducing the formation of putrefactive compounds. The aim of this study was to assess the nutrient digestibility, faecal characteristics and intestinal-fermentation products in dogs fed diets with Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis. Sixteen dogs were randomly divided into two groups. Every eight dogs were fed with the control diet or the diet with the addition of 62.5 g of DFM (B. subtilis and B. licheniformis)/ton. Diets were provided throughout a 20-day adaptation period, followed by 5 days of total faecal collection. Nutrient digestibility and the metabolisable energy of the diets, plus the dogs’ faecal characteristics and intestinal fermentation products were assessed. Results There were no differences in nutrient digestibility (P > 0.05). However, DFM supplementation improved faecal score and resulted in less fetid faeces (P < 0.001). DFM inclusion reduced (P < 0.05) the biogenic amines concentration: putrescine, spermidine and cadaverine, besides the concentration of phenols and quinoline. Conclusions The use of B. subtillis and B. licheniformis as DFM reduce the concentration of nitrogen fermentation products in faeces and faecal odour, but the digestibility of nutrients is not altered in dogs.

Looking for alternative sources in animal nutrition, microalgae began to be explored, gaining space in commercial production. The aim of this review is to present available information about the use of microalgae in animal nutrition, as well as its effect and applications. Many microalgae are important sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These PUFA is poorly synthesized by animals, so they should be included in their diet. In addition, they are a rich source of almost all of the important minerals as well as vitamins. Additionally, some microalgae generally have a high protein content and high digestibility. In this context, microalgae already available on the market, become an alternative replacing conventional ingredients. To our knowledge, the use of small amounts of microalgae biomass in the feed can benefit the physiology of the animals, improving the immune response, resistance to diseases, antiviral and antibacterial action, intestinal function, and stimulation of probiotic colonization. In general, the addition of these compounds to the diets of animals enhances their overall health and immune status, productivity, and the quality and stability of the resulting animal products. Although the use of microalgae is increasingly directed towards many types of animals: cats, dogs, ornamental fish, horses, poultry, swine, sheep, and cow, studies still need to be explored. En la búsqueda de fuentes alternativas en la nutrición animal, se comenzaron a explorar las microalgas, ganando terreno en la producción comercial. El objetivo de esta revisión es presentar la información disponible sobre el uso de microalgas en la nutrición animal, así como su efecto y aplicación. Muchas microalgas son fuentes importantes de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados de cadena larga (AGCL), principalmente ácido eicosapentaenoico (EPA) y docosahexaenoico (DHA). Estos AGCL son mal sintetizados por los animales, por lo que deben incluirse en la dieta diaria. Además, son una rica fuente de casi todos los minerales fundamentales, también de ser abundantes en vitaminas. Adicionalmente, algunas microalgas suelen tener un alto contenido de proteínas, además de una alta digestibilidad. En este contexto, las microalgas ya disponibles en el mercado, se convierten en una alternativa a la sustitución de ingredientes convencionales. Hasta donde sabemos, el uso de pequeñas cantidades de biomasa de microalgas en la alimentación puede beneficiar la fisiología de los animales, mejorando la respuesta inmune, la resistencia a enfermedades, la acción antiviral y antibacteriana, la función intestinal y estimulando la colonización prebiótica. En general, la adición de estos compuestos a las dietas de los animales mejora la salud general y el estado inmunológico, la productividad y la calidad y estabilidad de los productos animales resultantes. Aunque el uso de microalgas está cada vez más dirigido a diferentes tipos de animales: gatos, perros, peces ornamentales, caballos, aves de corral, cerdos, ovejas y vacas, aún quedan por explorar estudios. Em busca por fontes alternativas na nutrição animal, as microalgas começaram a ser exploradas, ganhando espaço na produção comercial. O objetivo desta revisão é apresentar as informações disponíveis sobre o uso de microalgas na alimentação animal, bem como seu efeito e aplicação. Muitas microalgas são fontes importantes de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados (PUFA), principalmente ácido eicosapentaenóico (EPA) e ácido docosahexaenóico (DHA). Esses PUFA são mal sintetizados pelos animais, por isso devem ser incluídos na dieta diária. Além disso, eles são uma fonte rica em quase todos os minerais importantes, além de serem abundantes em vitaminas. Além disso, algumas microalgas geralmente apresentam alto teor de proteínas, além de alta digestibilidade. Nesse contexto, as microalgas já disponíveis no mercado, passam a ser uma alternativa em substituição aos ingredientes convencionais. Até onde sabemos, a utilização de pequenas quantidades de biomassa de microalgas na ração pode beneficiar a fisiologia dos animais, melhorando a resposta imune, resistência a doenças, ação antiviral e antibacteriana, função intestinal e estímulo à colonização probiótica. Em geral, a adição desses compostos às dietas dos animais melhora a saúde geral e o estado imunológico, a produtividade e a qualidade e estabilidade dos produtos animais resultantes. Embora o uso de microalgas seja cada vez mais direcionado a diversos tipos de animais: gatos, cães, peixes ornamentais, cavalos, aves, suínos, ovelhas e vacas, estudos ainda precisam ser explorados.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of cassava fiber (CA) concentrations and conventional fiber sources on coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) and metabolizable energy (ME) of the diet, fecal characteristics, intestinal fermentation products, and fecal microbiota of dogs. Seven diets were evaluated: control diet (without the addition of fiber sources); three diets with increasing concentrations of CA: 40, 80, and 120 g/kg (totaling 61, 72, and 83 g/kg of total dietary fiber, TDF, respectively); diet with 38 g/kg of cellulose (CE); diet with 60 g/kg of beet pulp (BP); and diet with 38 g/kg of lignocellulose (LC). Diets with 120 g/kg of CA, CE, BP, and LC contained approximately 80 g/kg of TDF. Diet digestibility, fecal characteristics, intestinal fermentation products, and fecal microbiota were evaluated in 14 adult Beagle dogs, distributed in a randomized block design, with 3 periods of 15 days each. Each 2 dogs were fed one of the diets per period, totaling 6 replicates/treatment at the end of the 3 periods. The CTTAD of organic matter and dry matter was higher (P 0.05). The 120 g/kg CA diet resulted in higher fecal concentrations of acetate and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) when compared to the control, CE, and LC diets (P

The use of exogenous enzymes in canine nutrition has been studied as a way to improve the nutritional value of plant by-products. This study conducted 2 experiments to evaluate the effects of exogenous phytase and a complex of carbohydrases supplementation on plant protein based diets for dogs. Dietary treatments consisted of an animal protein-based diet (AD; poultry offal meal and meat-and-bone meal) without enzyme inclusion; a plant protein-based (PD; soybean meal) without enzymes, considered the control diet; PD + 5000 phytase units (FTU)/g (PD + P5); PD + 10,000 FTU/g (PD + P10); PD + 15,000 FTU/g (PD + P15); PD + 50,000 units of a carbohydrase enzyme complex (U)/g (PD + C); PD + a combination of 5000 phytase units FTU/g and 50,000 units of a carbohydrase complex U/g (PD + PC). In experiment 1, 14 dogs were fed the experimental diets and distributed in a randomized block design to assess digestibility, fecal characteristics, and fecal fermentation products. In experiment 2, a palatability test was evaluated in pairs by the means of two comparisons: PD vs. PD + PC and PD + P5 vs. PD + PC, with 16 dogs. The inclusion of PD + PC did not alter the digestibility of the diet (P > 0.05). The inclusion of phytase linearly increased fecal pH, concentrations of acetic and propionic acids, and total production of short-chain fatty acids (P 0.05) in the first choice of the dogs for a specific diet for any of the comparisons made. Enzyme supplementation did not influence nutrient digestibility, but it increased the ME content of the PD. In addition, supplementation with the carbohydrase complex increased the production of total short-chain fatty acids and reduced fecal dry matter without compromising the acceptance of the diets.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the microalgae Schizochytrium sp., as a dietary source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on diet palatability, coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients and metabolizable energy (ME), blood variables and indicators of immunity in dogs. We also evaluated oxidative stability. Two diets containing 0 and 0.4% of microalgae Schizochytrium sp. were evaluated in three experiments. On Experiment I the palatability of diets containing 0% versus 0.4% microalgae was compared. In Experiment II test diets were offered for 30 days to determine digestibility, fecal characteristics, and blood parameters. In Experiment III, the oxidative stability of diets containing microalgae versus anchovy oil was evaluated. There was a higher intake ratio of the diet containing microalgae (p < .05). The ME and CTTAD of nutrients increased (p < .05), except for ether extract after acid hydrolysis, with the inclusion of the microalgae in diet. The amount of monocytes and phagocytic granulocytes was higher (p < .05) in dogs fed 0.4% microalgae. There was greater oxidative stability for the sample containing microalgae. The addition of 0.4% microalgae presented high palatability, increased phagocytic cell numbers, and demonstrated oxidative stability superior to anchovy oil.

Objetivou-se determinar a interferência do aditivo extrato de Yucca schidigera em diferentes concentrações e fontes comerciais (EYA vs EYB) nas características fecais de cães. Utilizaram-se 15 cães adultos da raça Beagle, distribuídos em delineamento em blocos ao acaso, totalizando 6 repetições por tratamento. Foram analisadas nas fezes a matéria seca fecal (MSf), produção fecal, amônia, escore, pH e odor fecal. Houve diferença nos valores de MSf, produção fecal e para odor fecal em ambos os testes realizados (P

A etapa de recobrimento de líquidos, além de outras funções, confere acabamento ao extrusado. Objetivou-se avaliar o grau de absorção de lipídeos sob diferentes temperaturas, mensuradas após sua saída do secador. A análise iniciou com temperatura em 48ºC, subindo gradativamente 1ºC até atingir 58ºC, totalizando 11 tratamentos (n=10). Houve aumento linear da absorção de lipídeos com o acréscimo na temperatura (P

Objetivou-se avaliar a influência de diferentes dietas sobre a produção de AS intestinal em cães e gatos. Foram analisados 166 dados referentes à concentração de AS fecal de experimentos realizados em cães e gatos. Não houve correlação entre o tipo de fibra sobre a produção de AS em cães (P>0,05). Houve correlação positiva entre a produção do AS com a ingestão de matéria seca (IMS), ingestão de proteína e sexo (P