Volume: 2, 2023
2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A034
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.A034
Published online: 19 April 2023
ICDSUPL, 2, A034 (2023)
The effect of complementary additive on nutrient digestibility and fermentation processes in dogs
Patrycja Zawisza1,2*, Jakub Szabarkiewicz2, Olga Lasek2
1 Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, National Research Institute of Animal Production; 1 Krakowska Street, 32-083 Balice, Poland
2 Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Agriculture; 21 Adam Mickiewicz Avenue, 31-120 Cracow, Poland
* Corresponding author: patrycja.zawisza@iz.edu.pl
Abstract
Nowadays, there has been a growing interest in the pet nutrition market in functional foods designed to improve the health of pets. Especially the effect of nutrients on the microbiome is considered. In keeping with trends in animal nutrition, complementary additives (CA) should not be composed using substances of artificial origin. Instead, naturally occurring detoxicants, antioxidants and medicinal herbs are desirable to improve animal health. In addition, fiber in dogs’ diets has a positive effect on gastrointestinal function. The hypothesis of experiment assumed the nutrients in the CA would affect the processes of fermentation determined in vitro and digestibility coefficients determined in in vivo on dogs. The aim of the study was to determine the chemical composition of compound feeds supplement, to determine in vitro fermentation parameters (gas production, volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonia, pH) and coefficients of digestibility of nutrients determined by in vivo studies on dogs. The study material was CA in granulated form, containing: detoxicants, plant extracts, herbs, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. The experiment was performed on 6 French bulldog dogs. The study was carried out in two stages: before (feeding only the maintenance food) and after 3 months of feeding CA added to the maintenance food. Each stage was divided into a pre-study period, where feed intake was carefully controlled, and a proper experimental period, where fecal excretion was controlled and feces were obtained for a gas test to determine in vitro fermentation parameters. The digestibility of nutrients such as dry matter, total protein, fiber, fat, ash and starch was determined by the indicator method using HCl-insoluble ash as an indicator. There was no effect of CA on digestibility coefficients (p>0.05). CA affected fermentation as follows: fecal pH and ammonia decreased significantly, while the amount of short-chain fatty acids and VFA produced increased (p < 0.05). The content of acetic acid produced increased significantly while butyric acid decreased (p < 0.01). There were no significant changes in gas production. The results confirmed the positive effect of CA on fermentation parameters by modulating the activity of dogs’ intestinal microbiota without affecting digestibility coefficients, so it can be safely used as an additive to maintenance food for dogs.
How to cite
P. Zawisza, J. Szabarkiewicz, O. Lasek, 2023. The effect of complementary additive on nutrient digestibility and fermentation processes in dogs. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.A034