Effect of sequentially fed high protein, hydrolyzed protein, and high fiber diets on the fecal microbiota of healthy dogs: a cross-over study

Abstract

Background Dietary content and environmental factors can shape the gut microbiota, and consequently, the way the gut microbiota metabolizes fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, affecting overall health of the host. We evaluated the impact of 3 diets (all meat [raw], high-insoluble fiber dry extruded diet and hydrolyzed protein dry extruded diet) on the gut microbiota of healthy dogs in a cross-over sequential study. Results We showed that diet can have an effect on the gut microbiome in dogs, which was influenced by the order of feeding. High-protein (all meat) diets were characterized by an increase in bacteria belonging to the Fusobacteria and Bacteroidetes phyla, whereas a high-insoluble fiber commercial diet correlated with increases in Firmicutes and Actinobacteria phyla. However, the individual dog’s baseline microbiota had the most impact on the magnitude and nature of the changes in response to dietary intervention. Conclusion Our results suggest that the dog fecal microbiota is driven by protein and fiber composition to different degrees in individual animals, and targeted modification of these patterns could be useful in the modulation of the gut microbiota in different diseases.

Hydrolyzed chicken liver used as single source of animal protein in diet and its effect on cytokines, immunoglobulins, and fecal microbiota profile of adult dogs

“…The 16S rRNA gene sequencing did not show differences in fecal communities between dogs fed hydrolyzed or common protein source diet. Although no differences were observed for fecal bacterial phyla between groups, the relative abundance verified for the HCLP group is in accordance with a previous study by Martı ´nez-Lo ´pez et al [33], in which healthy adult dogs also fed a hydrolyzed chicken liver diet for 6 weeks showed Firmicutes (median of 55%), Fusobacteria (median of 17%) and Bacteroidetes (median of 16%) as the most abundant bacterial phyla. Similarly, Bresciani et al [34] did not find changes on fecal microbiota of healthy dogs after 60 days of an animal protein-free diet consumption.…”

“…Alpha diversity was not affected by dietary treatments, but PCoA plots based on Bray-Curtis and D_0.5 UniFrac distance metrics showed a clear separation between control group and HCLP group, which was also verified previously in dogs fed hydrolyzed and anallergenic diets [33,41].…”

“…In contrast to different types of fibers widely recognized for their prebiotic impact on microbiota composition and fermentative end-products related to gut health [43][44][45], some authors suggest that hydrolyzed diets affect the canine microbiome on a functional level instead of a taxonomic [33]. Perhaps a metabolomic approach could be more specific for identifying possible modifications in the HCLP group.…”

Gastrointestinal transit time is faster in Beagle dogs compared to cats

“…Highprotein diets have been demonstrated previously to alter intestinal microbiota, resulting in decreased fecal short-chain fatty acid production, increased fecal branched-chain fatty acids, and a higher fecal pH compared to cats and dogs fed a lower protein diet. 33 Because we did not evaluate the intestinal pH of dogs prior to transitioning to the diet intended for cats, nor did we evaluate the intestinal microbiota or metabolic products, we cannot establish a causal relationship between the higher protein diet and the increased intestinal pH in our study dogs.…”

The Nexus of Diet, Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Dogs

“…Several taxa became detectable in response to diet, such as Lactobacillus ruminis, which was detected in 59% of LPHC-fed dogs [48]. In another study, the fecal microbiota of dogs fed a HPLC diet showed an increased abundance of Bacteroidetes in addition to an enrichment in the phylum Firmicutes [49].…”