Alimento seco extrusado para cães com zeólita e Yucca schidigera : parâmetros fisiológicos e intestinais

Abstract

Dog foods with the inclusion of low digestibility proteins generate protein fermentative substrates in the large intestine of dogs. Protein degradation generates residues such as BCFA, ammonia, phenols, and indoles. These compounds increase intestinal pH, are correlated with the presence of pathogenic bacteria, and cause increased odor in dog feces. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate the synergistic action of zeolite, Yucca schidigera (YSE), β-glucans and calcium butyrate on the fermentation products found in dog feces, as well as the reduction of feces odor by carrying out a sensory panel of odors. Five treatments were used in the experiment, control, without any additive (T0); T0 + 0.75% clinoptilolite zeolite (CZ) (T1); T0 + 0.75% CZ + 0.1% YSE (T2); T0 + 0.75% CZ + 0.1 YSE + 0.03% β-Glucans (T3); and T0 + 0.75% CZ + 0.1% YSE + 0.03% β-Glucans + 0.5% calcium butyrate (BC) (T4). No statistical differences (p>0.05) were observed between treatments for food acceptability, digestibility of DM, CP, CF and Ash, and fecal score of dogs. Significant effects (p<0.05) were detected in the reduction of fecal pH, whose T4 and T1 showed a greater pH reduction in relation to the control. Higher concentration of fecal acetate was also observed for T4 compared to T0, T2 and T3 (p<0.05), however T4 did not differ statistically from T1. The presence of total propionate and SCFA in feces showed a trend (p<0.10), in which T4 showed higher concentrations when compared to T0, although statistically similar to T1. No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed between the values found for BCFA, phenol, 4-MethylPheno, 4-Ethylphenol, indole. Fecal ammonia also showed a trend (p<0.10), T4 had higher concentrations compared to T2, however no treatment was different from the control. It was found that the stools from treatment T1 and T2 had a less foul odor when compared to T0. T4 was considered more fetid compared to T2. It is concluded that the inclusion of zeolite and YSE, have beneficial effects in reducing the odor of dog feces and for this reason these ingredients should be included in diets with low digestibility protein. For the traits studied, β-Glucans did not offer any benefit. There is no justification for BC in dog diets, considering that this additive increased the odor of dog faeces and only the inclusion of zeolite causes similar effects about SCFA production.