Assessment of nutrient digestibility in four dry dog foods containing different levels of protein, fat and carbohydrate

A study was undertaken in switch over design to find out the effects of four different treatment combinations of protein, fat and carbohydrates in dry dog foods on the apparent digestibility of nutrients. Four medium sized healthy adult nondescript dogs of about one to two years of age and around 10 to 15 kg body weight were selected and allotted to four dietary treatments- T1 (40 per cent CP, 23 per cent fat, 30 per cent carbohydrate and 3626 kcal ME), T2 (35 per cent CP, 20 per cent fat, 38 per cent carbohydrate and 3528 kcal ME), T3 (26 per cent CP, 15 per cent fat, 52 per cent carbohydrate and 3475 kcal ME) and T4 (20 per cent CP, 11 per cent fat 62 per cent carbohydrate and 3370 kcal ME). The feeding trial was conducted in switch over model of design with one week in between the periods to nullify carry over effect. Results revealed that levels of nutrients in diet had a significant influence on nutrient digestibility in the experimental animals. Among the dietary treatments, T1 with higher fat and protein levels had better dry matter digestibility while T3 diet containing 26 per cent protein, 15 per cent fat and 52 per cent carbohydrate had better crude protein and ether extract digestibility, hence can be recommended.