Comparison of the cognitive palatability assessment protocol and the two-pan test for use in assessing palatability of two similar foods in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To compare preferences of dogs for 2 similar foods by use of 2 distinct methods (the cognitive palatability assessment protocol [CPAP] and the 2-pan test).


METHODS
13 Beagles.


METHODS
6 dogs were trained in a 3-choice object-discrimination-learning task in which their nonpreferred objects were associated with a reward of a lamb-based or chicken-based food. The number of choices for each object was used to determine food preferences. Preference of the same foods was also assessed by use of a 2-pan test in which all 13 dogs were provided the 2 foods in identical bowls. The amount of each food consumed in 10 minutes was used to determine food preference.


RESULTS
All dogs had a noticeable preference for the chicken-based food during the CPAP. Once established, preferences remained consistent and were not affected by satiety. The 2-pan test identified a preference for the chicken-based food in dogs with previous exposure to the food but only a weak and nonsignificant preference for the same food in dogs without previous exposure. Food preferences in the 2-pan test varied considerably. Total food consumption and the ability to detect a preference were reduced when dogs were fed prior to testing.


CONCLUSIONS
The CPAP provides a reliable measure of food preference that requires few test subjects. The 2-pan test reveals similar preferences but with variability in data that requires larger numbers of subjects and is susceptible to effects from prior exposure and feeding of the test foods to the subjects.
Araujo
Joseph A
JA
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 1A8.
Studzinski
Christa M
CM
Larson
Brian T
BT
Milgram
Norton W
NW
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001244:Association; D002645:Chickens; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D005518:Food Preferences; D008460:Meat; D012193:Reversal Learning / Q000502:physiology; D012528:Satiety Response / Q000502:physiology; D012756:Sheep