Intake of energy, protein, amino acids  and minerals by dogs under energy restriction for body weight loss when fed with commercial weight loss diets

AbstractThis retrospective study evaluated energy and nutrient intake of dogs in a weight loss programme. Ninety-four obese dogs were divided into three groups: G5 –15: from 5% to 15% body weight (BW) loss (n = 55); G155–25: from 15.1% to 25% BW loss (n = 29); and G >  25: more than 25.1% BW loss (n = 10). Five brands of kibble diets designed for weight loss were analysed for crude protein, amino acids, fat, dietary fibre, and minerals. The food metabolizable energy (ME) was estimated (NRC, 2006). Data were compared inside each group using the pairedt test and between groups with analysis of variance and Tukey tests (p <  0.05). The BW loss (weeks in regimen) was: G5–15, 9.8% ± 2.7% (13.5 ± 5.7 weeks); G15–25, 17.5% ± 2.7% (22.6 ± 11.9 weeks); G >  25, 30.0% ± 2.1% (50.4 ± 17.4% weeks;p <  0.01). The mean weekly BW loss rate was similar between groups (0.8% ± 0.3%;p >  0.05) but was higher during the first (0.96.6% ± 0.5%) than in the second (0.64% ± 0.4%) half of the regimen (p <  0.01). At beginning ME intake for BW loss did not differ (251.6 ± 32.2 kJ/kg0.75/day), but it was lower for G  >  25 in the second half of the regimen (230.3 ± 44.3;p = 0.02). Considering the observed ME intake of each dog, depending on the commercial product, intake below recommended for maintenance was verified for crude protein in 1%–20% of the dogs, methionine in 4...
Source: Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition - Category: Zoology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research