Selected animal and plant protein sources affect nutrient digestibility and fecal characteristics of ileally cannulated dogs

The objective of this study was to compare ileal and total tract nutrient d igestibilities and fecal characteristics of dogs fed selected animal and pl ant protein sources incorporated into grain-based diets. Four crude protein sources - soybean meal (SBM), poultry meal (PM), poultry by-product meal ( PBPM), and beef and bone meal (BBM) - were fed to four ileal cannulated dog s in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Intakes of dry matter, organic matter, cr ude protein, and fat by dogs were similar. Total dietary fiber (TDF) intake was highest for the SBM treatment compared to other treatments. Ileal dige stibilities of DM, OM, CP, fat, and TDF were not affected by treatment. Tot al tract digestibility of DM was lower for the BBM and SBM diets, while OM digestibility was lower for the SBM treatment only. Total tract CP digestib ility was similar for BBM, PBPM, and SBM treatments and was higher for the PM treatment. As-is fecal excretion [g/d] was greater when dogs received th e SBM treatment. Fecal output on a DM basis was higher for the SBM treatmen t compared to the other treatments. All diets were well utilized by the dog s as assessed by ileal and total tract digestibility data and fecal charact eristics.