Effect of level and source of dietary fiber on food intake in the dog.
The effects of dietary fiber on challenge meal intake and on the perception of hunger in dogs were evaluated. A program of testing variants of a standard low energy diet, to which one of five fiber containing raw materials was added, was undertaken. Diets were fed to a group of six dogs for 12-d periods in a latin square design and in amounts that corresponded to the food allowance for weight reduction. Behavioral characteristics of dogs were recorded on videotape for 30-min periods after introduction of test diets. On two occasions during each 12-d feeding period dogs were presented with a challenge meal. At the end of each 12-d feeding period all dogs entered a 6-d washout period. There was no significant effect of diet on the intake of the challenge meal or on intake of food during the subsequent washout period. In addition, diet had no apparent effect on the perception of hunger, as represented by behavioral characteristics during the 30-min period after presentation of test diets. It was concluded that inclusion of moderate levels of raw materials, composed primarily of insoluble fiber, in a commercial low energy diet had no apparent beneficial effects on satiety, when fed to dogs on an energy intake corresponding to allowances for weight reduction.
Butterwick
R F
RF
Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, UK.
Markwell
P J
PJ
Thorne
C J
CJ
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D004435:Eating; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006815:Hunger; D008297:Male; D012527:Satiation; D014743:Videotape Recording; D015431:Weight Loss