Clinical Findings in Healthy Dogs Fed With Diets Characterized by Different Carbohydrates Sources

Abstract

In recent years, pet owners have become more interested in the ingredients, and quality of pet-food, and several studies have demonstrated that feed management could affect healthy status. Recently, some authors indicated that commercial diets formulated without cereals, or using unconventional protein, and starch sources, can cause a reduction in taurine levels in both whole blood, and plasma. Nevertheless, the specific mechanism by means of which nutritional factors determine this reduction is not completely clear. Thirty neutered half-breed dogs were recruited at a kennel in the province of Naples (Italy) to investigate the influence of carbohydrates sources, and dietary density of nutrients on healthy status of dogs in terms of blood count, and biochemical parameters. The dogs were housed in the kennel and divided into three distinct groups. Three iso-energy, and iso-nitrogen commercial kibble diets (named GF1, GF2, and CB) with different protein, and carbohydrates contents, and carbohydrates sources were chosen for the trial. The chemical composition and amino acid profile of each of the three tested diets were analyzed. Moreover, blood samples of each dog were collected to evaluate the hematological and biochemical profiles. The taurine level was determined both on plasma and whole blood. The effect of the diets was analyzed statistically, and all tested diets were compared to the control one. There were significant differences between the three tested diets as regards their chemical composition. The concentrations of all amino acids seem to reflect protein content diets. The hematological profile resulted within the ranges considered physiological for the canine species for all subjects. Compared to the control diet, the three tested diets showed significant differences in blood count for MCHC and platelets. The biochemical profile showed significant differences between the diets, particularly their AST, fructosamine, lipase, and triglycerides values. The diets did not affect the blood and plasma taurine levels. They resulted in higher than optimal reserve levels. Preliminary results showed that the sources of carbohydrates and use of balanced diets affected only some biochemical parameters and did not alter the levels of taurine in healthy adult dogs.

Evaluation of Fermented Oat and Black Soldier Fly Larva as Food Ingredients in Senior Dog Diets

“…To the best of our knowledge, studies on using fermented oats as raw materials for dog food appear limited. Gizzarelli et al reported that dogs fed an oat-based diet showed no significant changes in hematological parameters (WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, and MCH) compared to dogs fed a rice-based diet [ 52 ]. Although their study focused on oats, their results are consistent with those of our study using FO.…”

“…Freel et al reported that the concentration of ALT in the serum of adult beagles was significantly increased by BSFL feeding for 28 days [ 18 ], and Lei et al reported a linear increase in the ALB concentration depending on the amount of BSFL (0%, 1%, or 2%) [ 15 ]. Gizzarelli et al reported that biochemical parameters (GLU, CREA, BUN, PHOS, CA, T-PRO, ALB, GLOB, ALT, GGT, and CHOL) were not significantly affected by feeding a diet containing oats in healthy adult dogs [ 52 ]. The inconsistency among the results of those studies and this study is considered to be caused by various factors, such as the concentration of materials, the feeding period, the animal age, the animal breed, etc.…”

Effect of diet on postprandial glycemic and insulin responses in healthy dogs

“…Plasma samples were kept under refrigeration (4°C) for a maximum of 2 h before analysis. Insulin plasma samples were frozen (−80°C) for a maximum of 2 months before they were analyzed ( 11 ). Insulin was assessed by Chemiluminescence Enzyme Immunoassay (CLIA).…”

Food Markers of the Canine Nutrition System

“…Carbohydrates are not particularly harmful to dogs in reasonable quantities. They provide a high level of energy (Gizzarelli et al, 2021). When it comes to carbohydrates, the real issue is quantity.…”