title: Total dietary fiber composition of diets used for management of obesity and diabetes mellitus in cats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine total dietary fiber (TDF) composition of feline diets used for management of obesity and diabetes mellitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dry veterinary (n = 10), canned veterinary (12), and canned over-the-counter (3) feline diets.
  
  
  METHODS
  Percentage of TDF as insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), high-molecular-weight soluble dietary fiber (HMWSDF), and low-molecular-weight soluble dietary fiber (LMWSDF) was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median measured TDF concentration was greater than reported maximum crude fiber content in dry and canned diets. Median TDF (dry-matter) concentration in dry and canned diets was 12.2% (range, 8.11% to 27.16%) and 13.8% (range, 4.7% to 27.9%), respectively. Dry and canned diets, and diets with and without a source of oligosaccharides in the ingredient list, were not different in energy density or concentrations of TDF, IDF, HMWSDF, or LMWSDF. Similarly, loaf-type (n = 11) and gravy-type (4) canned diets differed only in LMWSDF concentration. Disparities in TDF concentrations among products existed despite a lack of differences among groups. Limited differences in TDF concentration and dietary fiber composition were detected when diets were compared on the basis of carbohydrate concentration. Diets labeled for management of obesity were higher in TDF concentration and lower in energy density than diets for management of diabetes mellitus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diets provided a range of TDF concentrations with variable concentrations of IDF, HMWSDF, and LMWSDF. Crude fiber concentration was not a reliable indicator of TDF concentration or dietary fiber composition. Because carbohydrate content is calculated as a difference, results suggested that use of crude fiber content would cause overestimation of both carbohydrate and energy content of diets.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616.
authors.forename: Tammy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Amy K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Farcas
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Philip H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Kass
authors.forename: Andrea J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Fascetti
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy*; D002415:Cats; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000032:analysis*; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000662:veterinary*