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Animal Models

Dietary supplementation with flaxseed mucilage alone or in combination with calcium in dogs: effects on apparent digestibility of fat and energy and fecal characteristics

International Journal of Obesity volume 40, pages 1884–1890 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background:

In humans, dietary supplementation with flaxseed mucilage and calcium decrease apparent digestibility of fat and energy. These supplements could prove useful for weight management in dogs.

Objective:

To examine dry matter, energy and fat apparent digestibility, and fecal characteristics following dietary flaxseed mucilage supplementation alone or in combination with calcium.

Methods:

A single-blinded crossover feeding trial was conducted on 11 privately owned dogs. During three consecutive 14-day periods, dogs where fed commercial dog food supplemented with potato starch (control diet), flaxseed mucilage or flaxseed mucilage and calcium. Feces from the past 2 days of each period were collected for analysis. Owners recorded fecal score (1–7: 1=very hard/dry feces, 2–3=ideal and 7=diarrhea).

Results:

Apparent digestibility of fat was lower in both flaxseed mucilage diet (94.5±0.8%), and flaxseed mucilage and calcium diet (92.9±0.9%) compared with control diet (96.9±0.2%, P<0.0001) with fat digestibility in flaxseed mucilage and calcium diet being significantly lower than the diet supplemented with only flaxseed mucilage. Dry matter and energy digestibility was not significantly affected by diet. Fecal wet weight, dry weight and dry matter percentage was not affected by diet despite a higher fecal score for test diets (3.7±0.3) compared with control (2.8±0.2, P<0.007).

Conclusion:

In dogs, flaxseed mucilage decreased fat apparent digestibility and this effect was enhanced when combined with calcium. Dry matter and energy apparent digestibility was not affected. Decreased fecal quality may limit the acceptable level of supplementation. Further studies on incorporating flaxseed mucilage in pet food products for weight management are needed.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Jacob Lassen, Royal Canin, Denmark, for supplying the dog food used in the study and Pernille Dorthea Frederiksen, Arla Foods Ingredients Group, Viby J, Denmark, for supplying the calcium extract used in the study. All feed used in the study was kindly donated by Royal Canin, Denmark. Dietary calcium extract was kindly donated by Arla Foods Ingredients Group, Viby J, Denmark.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department for Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

    S Nybroe & C R Bjørnvad

  2. Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

    A Astrup

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  1. S Nybroe
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Correspondence to C R Bjørnvad.

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Competing interests

Arne Astrup is a co-inventor of patents relating to the use of flaxseed mucilage for weight control in accordance with Danish University regulations. The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Nybroe, S., Astrup, A. & Bjørnvad, C. Dietary supplementation with flaxseed mucilage alone or in combination with calcium in dogs: effects on apparent digestibility of fat and energy and fecal characteristics. Int J Obes 40, 1884–1890 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2016.139

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