PSVIII-21 A Premium Dry Dog Food Elicits Gut Health Benefits Compared with a Grocery Dry Dog Food

• Published in: Journal of animal science 2023-11, Vol.101 (Supplement_3), p.465-466
• Main Authors: Lin, Ching-Yen, Daristotle, Leighann, Franz, Nolan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abundance; Alanine; Alanine transaminase; Alkaline phosphatase; Biomarkers; Blood; Blood cells; Diet; Digestibility; Dogs; Dysbacteriosis; Feces; Food; Food quality; Microbiomes; Monocytes; Pet food; Pets; Polypeptides; γ-Glutamyltransferase
• ISSN: 0021-8812; 1525-3163
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad281.553

Abstract With the pet humanization trend, pet parents are continuously seeking approaches to improve the health of their pets. Compared with grocery dog foods produced to meet the basic needs of the dog, premium dog foods include high-quality ingredients and functional benefits that can be more appealing to consumers. However, little research is available comparing health measures in dogs fed premium foods vs. basic grocery foods. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of feeding a premium dog kibble diet (Blue Buffalo; BB) and a grocery dog kibble diet on digestibility, blood biomarkers, and fecal microbiome in healthy adult dogs. Sixty dogs (mean BW = 10.8 ± 2.0 kg; mean age = 8.2 ± 3.3 yr) were randomly selected to consume BB (n = 30) or the grocery diet (n = 30) for 180 days. On days 0, 90, and 180, fresh fecal samples were collected for fecal microbiome and dysbiosis index analysis and blood samples were collected for measurements of complete blood count, serum chemistry, and serum biomarkers. A separate 10-day digestibility study was conducted using 12 dogs (BB n = 6, grocery diet n = 6; mean BW = 12.0 ± 2.1 kg). Total fecal samples were collected from day 6 to day 10 for nutrient digestibility analysis. Protocols were approved by the facility’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee before the study. All data were analyzed using the Mixed Models procedure of SAS. Stool quality was not different (P > 0.05) between diet groups. Both diets were highly digestible without dietary effects (P > 0.05). All blood cell count and serum chemistry values were within the reference ranges. However, dogs fed the grocery diet had greater (P < 0.05) liver enzyme concentrations including alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and greater (P < 0.05) monocyte counts compared with BB. Dogs had greater (P < 0.05) serum pancreatic polypeptide when fed BB. A lower dysbiosis index (less dysbiotic microbiome) was observed in dogs consuming BB. Relative abundances of 23 bacterial genera were altered (P < 0.05) by the diets, with greater abundances of Bifidobacterium and Megamonas and decreased abundance of Streptococcus observed in the BB group compared with the grocery diet group. These results suggest that premium dry dog food could potentially elicit a positive impact on blood parameters and GI health.