The effect of oligofructose and inulin on faecal characteristics and nutrient digestibility in healthy cats

The effects on faecal characteristics of different concentrations of oligof ructose (0, 3, 6 and 9%) were investigated. The 6 and 9% supplemented group s differed significantly compared with the control group in almost all faec al characteristics. There were no significant differences regarding the mac roscopical and chemical aspects of the faeces between the control and the 3 % supplemented group. There was a trend for a lower pH of the faeces in the 3% supplemented group, suggesting a substantial effect on the faecal compo sition. In a second experiment, the effects of oligofructose (3%) and inuli n (3 and 6%) on digestibility parameters were tested. In the supplemented g roups the apparent protein digestibility was lower bur this was due to a hi gher bacterial nitrogen content of the faeces. There were no significant di fferences between 3% inulin and oligofructose, although oligofructose seeme d to be more easily fermentable, because of a trend to a higher concentrati on of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the faeces of the oligofructose gro up.