Substitution of wheat bran by corn gluten feed without steep water in cats feed

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of substituting wheat bran (WB) by corn gluten feed without steep water (CGF) in cats feeds regarding the nutritional value of the diet, stool characteristics, time of food passage through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), intestinal gas production and concentrations of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in blood and faeces. Twenty eight cats were distributed in a randomized block design with four treatments (0, 2.6, 5.3 or 8.0% CGF, based on dry matter, substituting for WB) and seven replicates. Substitution of WB by CGF decreased (P<0.01) the digestibility of acid detergent fibre without influencing (P>0.05) the digestibility of other nutrients and apparent metabolizable energy. There was also no effect (P>0.05) on faeces moisture, faecal pH and score, food transit time in the GIT, intestinal gas area and SCFA concentrations in faeces, while blood concentrations of propionate were influenced differently by the different feeds and sampling times (P<0.05). Thus replacement of up to 8% of WB by CGF may be done safely in cats feed.

Oat beta-glucan as a dietary supplement for dogs

“…Fecal score was determined according to the following system [ 20 ]: 1 –hard, dry pellets; small, hard mass; 2 –hard, formed, dry stool; remains firm and soft; 3 –soft, formed, and moist stool; 4 –soft, unformed stool; assumes shape of container; 5 –watery; liquid that can be poured. Fecal pH was measured in fresh feces, collected within 15 minutes of defecation, using a digital pH meter (model Q400A, Quimis, São Paulo, Brazil) [ 21 , 22 ]. The electrode was inserted in three distinct points of the sample and the average was considered in the analyzes.…”