2018 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program: Seattle, Washington, June 14 - 15, 2018

The lack of observed differences could be related to the gelatinization of starch during extrusion processing, resulting in a high content of rapidly digestible starch. These results suggest that different carbohydrate sources in commercial extruded diets may not have a significant effect on GI or satiety in dogs. Further research investigating the appropriateness of using the GI methodology in humans is necessary due to the high variability in postprandial glucose response observed in this study, and the unknown health benefits of low glycaemic foods in dogs. Water intake and hydration were evaluated in healthy dogs offered a nutrient-enriched water (NW) supplement while fed a maintenance dry food to maintain BW with ad libitum tap water (TW) in a bucket. Baseline (day -7) urine specific gravity (USG) was analyzed in Beagles (N = 30; 2-11 years) and 16 were selected with ≥ 1.015 USG, then equally divided into 2 groups balanced for USG. Groups received either TW or NW (containing whey protein, poultry flavoring, and glycerol) in a bowl for 56 days. Dose for each dog was 0.5:1 water-to-calorie ratio (mL:kcal ME/d) from days 1-49 and 2:1 mL:kcal ME/d for days 50-56 based on baseline calorie intake. Food calorie and total liquid intake (TLI; g/d; sum of NW or TW in a bowl and bucket water) recorded daily and used to calculate weekly mean intake amounts. USG was measured on days -7, 14, 42, 56. Linear mixed effects models were performed with main effects of treatment, time, and time-by-treatment interaction. Calorie intake was not different (P > 0.49). A time-by-treatment interaction was significant (P = 0.07) versus baseline. A significant (P < 0.01) on days 42 (1.018 g/mL) and 56 (1.014 g/mL) versus baseline (1.026 g/mL).