U.S. patent application number 09/756452 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-31 for process and composition for controlling fecal hair excretion and trichobezoar formation.
Invention is credited to Davenport, Gary Mitchell, Hayek, Michael Griffin, Reinhart, Gregory A., Sunvold, Gregory D..
Application Number | 20020012709 09/756452 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22638859 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020012709 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davenport, Gary Mitchell ;
et al. |
January 31, 2002 |
Process and composition for controlling fecal hair excretion and
trichobezoar formation
Abstract
A process and composition for controlling fecal hair excretion
and trichobezoar formation in animals such as cats and rabbits is
provided and includes feeding the animal a composition comprising
from about 10 to about 42 wt % crude protein, from about 4 to about
30 wt % fat, from about 1 to about 25 wt % total dietary fiber, and
a supplemental fiber source. The supplemental fiber source is
present in amounts which provide from about 1 to about 13 weight
percent of supplemental total dietary fiber. The animal is
maintained on the diet for a sufficient period of time to control
fecal hair excretion and trichobezoar formation.
Inventors: |
Davenport, Gary Mitchell;
(Dayton, OH) ; Sunvold, Gregory D.; (Eaton,
OH) ; Reinhart, Gregory A.; (Dayton, OH) ;
Hayek, Michael Griffin; (Dayton, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Killworth, Gottman, Hagan & Schaeff, L.L.P.
One Dayton Centre, Suite 500
Dayton
OH
45402-2023
US
|
Family ID: |
22638859 |
Appl. No.: |
09/756452 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60175095 |
Jan 7, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
424/725 ;
424/195.18; 426/648; 514/5.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 1/00 20180101; A23K
50/50 20160501; A23K 50/40 20160501; A23K 20/10 20160501; Y02P
60/87 20151101; A23K 10/30 20160501; A23K 20/163 20160501; A61P
1/14 20180101; A61K 31/00 20130101; A23K 20/105 20160501; A23K
10/37 20160501; A23K 10/32 20160501 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/725 ; 514/2;
424/195.18; 426/648 |
International
Class: |
A61K 035/78; A01N
037/18; A61K 038/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A composition for controlling fecal hair excretion and
trichobezoar formation in an animal comprising from about 10 to
about 42 wt % crude protein, from about 4 to about 30 wt % fat,
from about 1 to about 25 wt % total dietary fiber, and a
supplemental fiber source.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein said supplemental fiber
source is present in an amount which provides from about 1 to about
13 weight percent of supplemental total dietary fiber.
3. The composition of claim 1 wherein said supplemental fiber
source is present in an amount which provides from about 6 to about
12 weight percent of supplemental total dietary fiber.
4. The composition of claim 1 wherein said supplemental fiber
source is present in an amount which provides from about 10 to
about 12 weight percent of supplemental total dietary fiber.
5. The composition of claim 1 wherein said supplemental fiber
source is selected from the group consisting of at least one
fermentable fiber; a blend of at least two fermentable fibers; a
blend of at least one fermentable fiber and a cellulose ether; a
blend of at least one fermentable fiber, a cellulose ether, and
mineral oil; and a blend of at least one fermentable fiber and at
least one non-fermentable fiber.
6. The composition of claim 5 wherein said fermentable fiber(s) are
selected from the group consisting of beet pulp, gum arabic,
fructooligosaccharides, and blends thereof.
7. The composition of claim 5 wherein said fermentable fibers have
an organic matter disappearance of at least 20 percent.
8. The composition of claim 1 wherein said supplemental fiber
source comprises a blend of beet pulp and
carboxymethylcellulose.
9. The composition of claim 1 wherein said supplemental fiber
source comprises a blend of beet pulp, carboxymethylcellulose, and
mineral oil.
10. The composition of claim 1 wherein said supplemental fiber
source comprises a blend of beet pulp and cellulose.
11. The composition of claim 1 wherein said supplemental fiber
source comprises about 6 wt % beet pulp, about 2.0 wt % gum arabic,
and about 1.5 wt % fructo-oligosaccharides.
12. The composition of claim 1 wherein said supplemental fiber
source comprises about 6 wt % beet pulp and about 1.5 wt %
carboxymethylcellulose.
13. The composition of claim 1 wherein said supplemental fiber
source comprises about 6 wt % beet pulp and about 1.5 wt %
carboxymethylcellulose, and about 2 wt % mineral oil.
14. The composition of claim 1 wherein said supplemental fiber
source comprises about 6 wt % beet pulp and about 6.5 wt %
cellulose.
15. The composition of claim 1 wherein said supplemental fiber
source comprises about 12 wt % beet pulp.
16. A process for controlling fecal hair excretion and trichobezoar
formation in an animal comprising feeding said animal a composition
comprising from about 10 to about 42 wt % crude protein, from about
4 to about 30 wt % fat, from about 1 to about 25 wt % total dietary
fiber, and a supplemental fiber source.
17. The process of claim 16 wherein said supplemental fiber source
is present in an amount which provides from about 1 to about 13
weight percent of supplemental total dietary fiber.
18. The process of claim 16 wherein said supplemental fiber source
is selected from the group consisting of at least one fermentable
fiber; a blend of at least two fermentable fibers; a blend of at
least one fermentable fiber and a cellulose ether; a blend of at
least one fermentable fiber, a cellulose ether, and mineral oil;
and a blend of at least one fermentable fiber and at least one
non-fermentable fiber.
19. The composition of claim 18 wherein said fermentable fiber(s)
are selected from the group consisting of beet pulp, gum arabic,
fructooligosaccharides, and blends thereof.
20. The process of claim 16 wherein said supplemental fiber source
comprises a blend of beet pulp and carboxymethylcellulose.
21. The process of claim 16 wherein said supplemental fiber source
comprises a blend of beet pulp, carboxymethylcellulose, and mineral
oil.
22. The process of claim 16 wherein said supplemental fiber source
comprises a blend of beet pulp and cellulose.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 60/175,095, filed Jan. 7, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a process and composition
for controlling fecal hair excretion and trichobezoar formation in
animals such as cats and rabbits which are prone to hairball
formation.
[0003] Animals that constantly groom themselves, such as cats and
rabbits, regularly ingest large quantities of hair. Normally, the
ingested hair passes through the gastrointestinal tract of the
animal and is excreted in the feces. However, the ingestion of
large quantities of hair may cause the hair to accumulate in the
stomach and form a hairball or trichobezoar. A hairball is
typically composed of hair, mucous, water, food particles and
mineral salts. A hairball can be harmful to the animal if it
impedes the normal digestive process by blocking the pylorus and
preventing the passage of digesta down the gastrointestinal tract.
More frequently, hairballs are nothing more than a nuisance to the
animal and its owner. For example, the cat will attempt to
eliminate the hairball from the stomach through the vomiting
reflex. A hairball may produce constipation and defecation
difficulties if it passes from the stomach and becomes lodged in
the lower bowel.
[0004] Hairballs have been historically treated using petrolatum
jelly, mineral oil and other laxatives contained in various forms
as dietary treats and(or) supplements. The effectiveness of these
laxative type compounds on hairball control has been variable at
best. An alternate strategy that has been attempted to control the
formation and occurrence of hairballs involves the use of diets or
dietary supplements which include high levels of indigestible
(insoluble) fiber such as cellulose to increase the passage of hair
through the gastrointestinal tract and into the feces without
causing blockage or constipation. However, such diets may decrease
stool quality, cause diarrhea, and otherwise do not promote
gastrointestinal health.
[0005] Although fiber is not required in the diet of animals,
research has shown that moderate amounts of fermentable fibers in
the diet help to maintain gastrointestinal tract health. Depending
upon the specific composition and physical properties, dietary
fiber generally increases water-holding capacity, controls gastric
emptying, increases intestinal transit time, and maintains the
structural integrity of the intestinal mucosa. However, large
amounts of highly fermentable fiber sources generally decrease dry
matter, protein and lipid digestibility, and may produce
diarrhea-like feces, especially when fed to cats. See, Sunvold G.
D. et al, "Dietary fiber for cats: In vitro fermentation of
selected fiber sources by cat fecal inoculum and in vivo
utilization of diets containing selected fiber sources and their
blends," J. Anim. Sci. (1995)73:2329-2339. Other possible side
effects, such as constipation, excessive stool output, decreased
nutrient digestibility, and inferior haircoat appearance, have also
been observed in cats fed large amounts of insoluble fiber
sources.
[0006] Studies utilizing moderately fermentable (digestible) fiber
sources, such as beet pulp, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), citrus
pulp, and gum arabic, have been shown to increase short-chain fatty
acid production, colonic cell proliferation, skin and coat quality,
and stool consistency. See, Sunvold G. D. et al, supra; Drackley J.
K. et al, "Energetic substrates for intestinal cells," In: Reinhart
G. A. and Carey D. P., eds., Recent Advances In Canine and Feline
Nutrition: Volume 2. 1998 Iams Nutrition Symposium Proceedings,
Wilmington, Ohio: Orange Frazer Press, (1998) 463-472.; and Kelley,
R. et al, "Effect of beet pulp on nutrient digestibility in the
feline," J. Anim. Sci. (1998) 76 (Suppl 1):174. However, the
effects of moderately fermentable fiber sources on hairball
formation and fecal hair excretion have not been studied.
[0007] Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a process
and composition for controlling fecal hair excretion and
trichobezoar formation in animals such as cats and rabbits which is
effective and does not have the drawbacks of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention meets that need by providing a process
and composition for controlling fecal hair excretion and
trichobezoar formation in animals such as cats and rabbits which is
effective, which promotes gastrointestinal health, and which does
not cause other gastrointestinal problems in the animal. In
accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a process for
controlling fecal hair excretion and trichobezoar formation in an
animal is provided and includes feeding the animal a composition
comprising from about 10 to about 42 wt % crude protein, from about
4 to about 30 wt % fat, from about 1 to about 25 wt % total dietary
fiber, and a supplemental fiber source.
[0009] The supplemental fiber source is preferably selected from
the group consisting of at least one fermentable fiber; a blend of
at least two fermentable fibers; a blend of at least one
fermentable fiber and a cellulose ether; a blend of at least one
fermentable fiber, a cellulose ether, and mineral oil; and a blend
of at least one fermentable fiber and at least one non-fermentable
fiber. The supplemental fiber source is preferably present in an
amount which provides from about 1 to about 13 weight percent of
supplemental total dietary fiber, more preferably, from about 6 to
about 12 weight percent, and most preferably, from about 10 to
about 12 weight percent.
[0010] By "fermentable fiber" we mean fiber sources which have an
organic matter disappearance of between about 15 to about 100
percent when fermented by fecal bacteria for a 24 hour period.
Preferably, the fermentable fibers used in the composition of the
present invention have an organic matter disappearance of at least
20 percent. The fermentable fibers are preferably selected from the
group consisting of beet pulp, gum arabic, fructooligosaccharides,
and blends thereof.
[0011] By "non-fermentable fiber" we mean fiber sources which have
an organic matter disappearance of less than about 15 percent when
fermented by fecal bacteria for a 24 hour period.
[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the supplemental fiber
source comprises a blend of beet pulp and carboxymethylcellulose.
In another embodiment, the supplemental fiber source comprises a
blend of beet pulp, carboxymethylcellulose, and mineral oil. In yet
another embodiment, the supplemental fiber source comprises a blend
of beet pulp and cellulose.
[0013] In another embodiment of the invention, the supplemental
fiber source comprises about 6 wt % beet pulp, about 2.0 wt % gum
arabic, and about 1.5 wt % fructo-oligosaccharides. In another
embodiment, the supplemental fiber source comprises about 6 wt %
beet pulp and about 1.5 wt % carboxymethylcellulose. In another
embodiment, the supplemental fiber source comprises about 6 wt %
beet pulp, about 1.5 wt % carboxymethylcellulose, and about 2 wt %
mineral oil. In another embodiment, the supplemental fiber source
comprises about 6 wt % beet pulp, and about 6.5 wt % cellulose. In
another embodiment, the supplemental fiber source comprises about
12 wt % beet pulp.
[0014] The animal is maintained on the diet for a sufficient period
of time to control fecal hair excretion and trichobezoar
formation.
[0015] Accordingly, it is a feature of the present invention to
provide a process and composition for controlling fecal hair
excretion and trichobezoar formation in animals such as cats and
rabbits which is effective, which promotes gastrointestinal health,
and which does not cause other gastrointestinal problems in the
animal. This, and other features and advantages of the present
invention, will become apparent from the following detailed
description and the accompanying claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The present invention provides a composition which, when fed
to an animal such as a cat or rabbit which is prone to hairball
formation, effectively controls the formation of hairballs and
fecal hair excretion, while at the same time promotes
gastrointestinal health in the animal. The present invention
provides an improvement over prior treatments for hairballs such as
the use of pineapple juice, hay, petrolatum, and mineral oil which
function by either dissolving some of the protein in the hairball
or by moving hair through the intestine. The present invention not
only provides an effective method for the removal of hairballs from
an animal's gastrointestinal tract, but also promotes
gastrointestinal health by including blends of fermentable fibers
capable of producing short chain fatty acids which promote
epithelial cell health and modulate the bacterial population in the
intestine.
[0017] The fermentable fibers used in the practice of the present
invention display certain organic matter disappearance percentages.
The fermentable fibers will have an organic matter disappearance
(OMD) of from about 15 to about 100 percent when fermented by fecal
bacteria in vitro for a 24 hour period. That is, from about 15 to
about 100 percent of the total organic matter originally present is
fermented and converted by the fecal bacteria. The organic matter
disappearance of the fibers is preferably at least 20 percent, and
most preferably is at least 30 percent.
[0018] Thus, in vitro OMD percentage may be calculated as
follows:
{1-[(OM residue-OM blank)/OM initial]}.times.100,
[0019] where OM residue is the organic matter recovered after 24
hours of fermentation, OM blank is the organic matter recovered in
corresponding blank tubes (i.e., tubes containing medium and
diluted feces, but no substrate), and OM initial is that organic
matter placed into the tube prior to fermentation. Additional
details of the procedure are found in Sunvold et al, J. Anim. Sci.
1995, vol. 73:1099-1109.
[0020] Fermentable fibers which are useful in the present invention
produce short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) within a range of from
about 28 to about 85 mmol SCFA per 1000 Calories (kcals) of
metabolizable energy (ME), and more preferably within a range of
from about 42 to about 71 mmol SCFA per 1000 ME kcals. This equates
to a composition which has a total fermentable fiber content which
yields from about 100 to about 350 mmol SCFA/kg of diet.
[0021] Millimoles of SCFAs per 1000 metabolizable energy
kilocalories are calculated by first calculating the total calories
of metabolizable energy (ME) in a given diet composition per
kilogram of the composition. The number of grams per 1000 kcal ME
may be derived from the first calculation. Then the grams, and thus
millimoles, of the fermentable fiber components of the composition
may be calculated.
[0022] The fermentable fibers may be any fiber source which
intestinal bacteria present in the animal can ferment to produce
significant quantities of SCFAs. "Significant quantities" of SCFAs,
for purposes of this invention, are amounts over 0.5 mmol of total
SCFAs/gram of substrate in a 24 hour period. Preferred fibers
include beet pulp, gum arabic, gum talha, rice bran, carob bean
gum, citrus pulp, citrus pectin, fructooligosaccharides,
mannanoligosaccharides and mixtures and blends of these fibers.
[0023] The fermentable fibers may also be blended with other
non-digestible fiber sources such as cellulose and cellulose
ethers, or with laxatives such as petrolatum jelly or mineral oil.
In a preferred embodiment, the fermentable fibers are selected from
the group consisting of beet pulp, gum arabic,
fructooligosaccharides, and blends thereof.
[0024] Preferably, the blend of at least one fermentable fiber and
a cellulose ether includes beet pulp and carboxymethylcellulose.
Preferably, the blend of at least one fermentable fiber, a
cellulose ether, and mineral oil includes beet pulp,
carboxymethylcellulose, and mineral oil. Preferably, the blend of
at least one fermentable fiber and at least one non-fermentable
fiber includes beet pulp and cellulose.
[0025] Most preferably, the supplemental fiber source is selected
from the group consisting of 6 wt % beet pulp, 2.0 wt % gum arabic,
and 1.5 wt % fructooligosaccharides; 6 wt % beet pulp and 1.5 wt %
carboxymethylcellulose; 6 wt % beet pulp, 1.5 wt %
carboxymethylcellulose, and 2 wt % mineral oil; 6 wt % beet pulp
and 6.5 wt % cellulose; and 12 wt % beet pulp.
[0026] The fermentable fibers are used in the pet food composition
in amounts which provide from about 1 to about 13 weight percent of
supplemental total dietary fiber, preferably from about 6 to about
12 weight percent, and most preferably from about 10 to about 12
weight percent.
[0027] A definition of "supplemental total dietary fiber" first
requires an explanation of "total dietary fiber". "Total dietary
fiber" is defined as the residue of plant food which is resistant
to hydrolysis by animal digestive enzymes. The main components of
total dietary fiber are cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, lignin
and gums (as opposed to "crude fiber", which only contains some
forms of cellulose and lignin). "Supplemental total dietary fiber"
is that dietary fiber which is added to a food product above and
beyond any dietary fiber naturally present in other components of
the food product. Also, a "fiber source" is considered such when it
consists predominantly of fiber.
[0028] The animal is preferably fed a diet comprising from about 10
to about 42 wt % crude protein, from about 4 to about 30 wt % fat,
from about 1 to about 25 wt % total dietary fiber, with from about
1 to about 13 wt % of supplemental total dietary fiber as described
above. Other vitamins, minerals, and nutrients may also be
present.
[0029] The use of fermentable fiber sources has proved to be
beneficial for controlling hairballs by increasing the gastric and
intestinal passage of ingested hair and their subsequent excretion
in the feces of the animal. While not wishing to be bound by any
particular theory, it is believed that the increased passage rate
and fecal excretion reduce the opportunity for hair to collect in
the gastrointestinal tract of the animal and form a hairball. Thus,
it is believed that a viscous fiber source, such as a fermentable
fiber alone or blended with other fibers, traps or binds the
ingested hair to food particulate matter. The increased fiber level
increases gastric emptying, allowing the hair to pass out through
the feces of the animal more frequently. This increased passage
frequency is believed to decrease the accumulation of hair in the
stomach and the chronic formation of hairballs. An additional
benefit of a supplemental fermentable fiber source is the
enhancement of overall digestion by ensuring adequate time for
digestion, thus preventing any nutritional deficiencies. In
contrast, the use of insoluble fiber as the sole fiber source in
feline diets may cause detrimental effects on nutrient
digestibility and stool quality and may negatively impact skin and
coat condition when fed for an extended period of time.
[0030] In order that the invention may be more readily understood,
reference is made to the following examples, which are intended to
be illustrative of the invention, but are not intended to be
limiting in scope.
EXAMPLE 1
[0031] A number of dietary compositions were tested for their
effect on fecal hair excretion and prevention of the formation of
hairballs in the gastrointestinal tract. The potential efficacy of
dietary fiber sources for controlling hairball formation was
evaluated by assessing the degree of fecal hair excretion and hair
shedding. The fiber sources were evaluated by incorporating them
into various dietary matrices containing chicken, poultry meal,
ground corn, grain sorghum, egg, fishmeal, poultry fat, vitamins
and minerals. The fiber sources and(or) blends that were evaluated
were: (1) 6 wt % beet pulp, 2.0 wt % gum arabic, and 1.5 wt %
fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS); (2) 6 wt % beet pulp and 1.5 wt %
carboxymethylcellulose; (3) 6 wt % beet pulp, 1.5 wt %
carboxymethylcellulose, and 2 wt % mineral oil; (4) 6 wt % beet
pulp and 6.5% cellulose; and (5) 12% beet pulp. Control diets that
were used for comparative purposes included: a dietary matrix with
13 wt % cellulose added as the fiber source and a commercially
available cat food formulation containing approximately 4 wt % beet
pulp.
[0032] These five experimental diets and two control diets were
evaluated by feeding to 80 cats during a 10-week feeding study. The
study was comprised of a 6-week baseline period and a 4-week
experimental period. During the baseline period, all cats were fed
the commercially available cat food formulation to establish
baseline shedding and fecal hair excretion rates for the individual
cats. These results were used to allot the cats to the eight diets
to standardize hair shedding and fecal hair excretion across the
eight diets. Criteria used to assess efficacy of the various fiber
sources and(or) blends were based on subjective stool scores (score
of 4.0 being ideal), shedding index, wet feces, fecal moisture
content, dry feces, and daily fecal hair excretion.
[0033] Fecal excreta was collected from each cat on a weekly basis
during the experimental period to assess fecal hair content. The
composited weekly sample for each cat was freeze-dried and ground
before the hair component was quantitatively separated using a
series of screens and mechanical tapping. A shedding index was
assigned for each cat by collecting and weighing hair produced when
a standardized brushing protocol was followed.
[0034] Test results are reported in Tables 1 through 6 below. As
can be seen from Table 2, cats consuming Diet #3 exhibited
significantly reduced shedding by the fourth week.
1TABLE 1 Subjective stool scores Diet Fiber source Baseline Week 1
Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 1 6% Beet pulp, 4.22 4.03 3.97 4.10 3.86 2%
gum arabic 1.5% FOS 2 6% Beet pulp, 3.89 3.75 3.62 3.49 3.67 1.5%
carboxy- methylcellulose 3 6% Beet pulp, 4.34 4.14 4.27 4.21 4.13
1.5% carboxy- methylcellulose 2% mineral oil 4 6% Beet pulp, 4.43
4.59 4.57 4.57 4.64 6.5% cellulose 5 12% Beet pulp 4.34 4.49 4.48
4.48 4.60 6 13% Cellulose 4.31 4.57 4.55 4.59 4.55 7 Commercial
4.34 3.90 4.02 4.09 4.21 Cat Food Formulation (1 = liquid, watery;
2 = liquid, gel; 3 = semi-formed; 4 = formed; 5 = hard, dry)
[0035]
2TABLE 2 Shedding index (grams hair collected following brushing)
Diet Fiber source Baseline Week 4 Time Effect (P<) 1 6% Beet
pulp, .56 .41 2% gum arabic, 1.5% FOS 2 6% Beet pulp, .44 .42 1.5%
carboxy- methylcellulose 3 6% Beet pulp, .53.sup.x .25.sup.y .05
1.5% carboxy- methylcellulose, 2% mineral oil 4 6% Beet pulp, .39
.28 6.5% cellulose 5 12% Beet pulp .58 .46 6 13% Cellulose .40 .36
7 Commercial .31 .27 Cat Food Formulation Diet Effect NS
(P<)
[0036]
3 TABLE 3 Week 1 Wet feces Baseline Days Days Week 2 (grams/day)
g/d diet time 1-3 diet time 4-7 diet time g/d diet time Beet Pulp
(6%) + gum 31.62 28.97 ab 40.06 ab 42.76 arabic (2%) + FOS (1.5%)
Beet pulp (6%) + 32.12 x 53.55 c y 46.31 b y 42.78 x
carboxymethylcell.backslash.ulose (1.5%) Beet pulp (6%) + 31.47
40.26 b 31.73 ab 33.39 carboxymethylcellulose (1.5%) + mineral oil
(2%) Beet pulp (6%) + 39.03 39.79 ab 41.87 ab 42.23 cellulose
(6.5%) Beet pulp (12%) 34.16 x 56.07 c y 41.44 ab x 41.67 x
Cellulose (13%) 35.03 28.23 a 38.50 ab 35.83 Commercial Cat Food
32.41 38.65 ab 36.32 ab 34.28 Formulation Diet (P<) NS 0.10 0.05
NS Wet feces Week 3 Week 4 Time (grams/day) g/d diet time g/d diet
time (p<) Beet Pulp (6%) + gum 40.03 ab 41.4 ab NS arabic (2%) +
FOS 0 (1.5%) Beet pulp (6%) + 46.88 b y 43.2 ab 0.05
carboxymethylcell.backslash.ulose 9 (1.5%) Beet pulp (6%) + 37.97
ab 42.1 ab NS carboxymethylcellulose 1 (1.5%) + mineral oil (2%)
Beet pulp (6%) + 41.94 ab 48.0 a NS cellulose (6.5%) 1 Beet pulp
(12%) 43.35 ab xy 44.4 ab 0.05 2 Cellulose (13%) 36.55 ab 37.9 ab
NS 6 Commercial Cat Food 34.40 a 35.9 ab NS Formulation 1 Diet
(P<) 0.10 0.05 a, b, c Means in the same column with different
superscripts are statistically different (P < 0.05). x, y Means
in the same row with different superscripts are statistically
different (P < 0.05).
[0037]
4 TABLE 4 Week 1 Fecal moisture Baseline Days Days Week 2 content
(%) % diet time 1-3 diet time 4-7 diet time % diet time Beet Pulp
(6%) + gum 61.9 x 66.2 bc xy 67 9 c y 68.3 bc y arabic (2%) + FOS
(1.5%) Beet pulp (6%) + 61.7 x 69.2 c y 70.6 c y 69.3 c y
carboxymethylcellulose (1.5%) Beet pulp (6%) + 61.0 61.9 b 63.4 bc
62.4 b carboxymethylcellulose (1.5%) + mineral oil (2%) Beet pulp
(6%) + 60.1 62.0 b 60.2 b 63.1 b cellulose (6.5%) Beet pulp (12%)
62.4 x 68.0 bc xy 69.5 c y 69.5 c y Cellulose (13%) 62.8 x 52.7 a y
53.80 a y 51.7 a y Commercial Cat Food 61.1 x 66.7 bc xy 67.4 c y
66.0 bc xy Formulation Diet (P<) NS 0.10 0.10 0.10 Fecal
moisture Week 3 Week 4 Time content (%) % diet time % diet time
(p<) Beet Pulp (6%) + gum 67.83 b y 67.1 bc 0.10 arabic (2%) +
FOS (1.5%) Beet pulp (6%) + 68.44 b y 68.6 c 0.10
carboxymethylcellulose (1.5%) Beet pulp (6%) + 65.53 b 65.2 bc NS
carboxymethylcellulose (1.5%) + mineral oil (2%) Beet pulp (6%) +
62.81 b 62.0 b NS cellulose (6.5%) Beet pulp (12%) 68.45 b y 68.2 c
0.10 Cellulose (13%) 52.76 a y 51.0 a 0.01 Commercial Cat Food
61.96 b 66.0 bc 0.10 Formulation Diet (P<) 0.05 0.10 a, b, c
Means in the same column with different superscripts are
statistically different (P < 0.05). x, y Means in the same row
with different superscripts are statistically different (P <
0.05).
[0038]
5 TABLE 5 Week 1 Baseline Days Days Week 2 Dry feces (grams/day)
g/d diet time 1-3 diet time 4-7 diet time g/d diet time Beet Pulp
(6%) + gum arabic 10.72 ab 9.50 a 12.43 ab 12.99 ab (2%) + FOS
(1.5%) Beet pulp (6%) + 10.38 ab x 15.54 bc y 13.03 ab y 12.17 ab x
carboxymethylcellulose (1.5%) Beet pulp (6%) + 11.19 ab x 14.49 bc
y 10.92 a x 11.09 a x carboxymethylcellulose (1.5%) + mineral oil
(2%) Beet pulp (6%) + Cellulose 13.51 a 13.82 bc 15.24 b 15.08 bc
(6.5%) Beet pulp (12%) 11.33 ab x 16.33 c y 12.27 ab x 12.13 ab x
Cellulose (13%) 11.46 ab x 12.72 b x 16.88 c y 16.95 c y Commercial
Cat Food 11.13 ab 12.22 ab 11.50 ab 11.15 a Formulation Diet
(P<) 0.10 0.10 0.05 0.05 Week 3 Week 4 Time Dry feces
(grams/day) g/d diet time g/d diet time (p<) Beet Pulp (6%) +
gum arabic 12.32 a 12.85 bc NS (2%) + FOS (1.5%) Beet pulp (6%) +
13.94 b y 12.65 bc 0.10 carboxymethylcellulose (1.5%) Beet pulp
(6%) + 12.71 a xy 13.69 bc 0.10 carboxymethylcellulose (1.5%) +
mineral oil (2%) Beet pulp (6%) + Cellulose 14.76 b 17.34 a NS
(6.5%) Beet pulp (12%) 13.39 a xy 13.29 bc 0.05 Cellulose (13%)
16.42 b y 17.55 a 0.05 Commercial Cat Food 8.30 11.72 c NS
Formulation Diet (P<) 0.10 0.10 a, b, c Means in the same column
with different superscripts are statistically different (P <
0.05). x, y Means in the same row with different superscripts are
statistically different (P < 0.05).
[0039]
6TABLE 6 Daily fecal hair excretion (separated hair fraction
subjected Baseline Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Overall Mean Time to
modified crude g/d diet time g/d diet time g/d diet time g/d diet
time g/d diet diet (p<) Beet Pulp (6%) + 0.097 x 0.126 c x 0.216
b y 0.082 c x 0.141 cd de 0.10 gum arabic (2%) + FOS (1.5%) Beet
pulp (6%) + 0.142 0.177 c 0.207 b 0.154 bc 0.180 bcd cd NS
carboxymethylcellulose (1.5%) Beet pulp (6%) + 0.088 x 0.313 ab y
0.237 b y 0.186 ab y 0.245 b bc 0.05 carboxymethylcellulose (1.5%)
+ mineral oil (2%) Beet pulp (6%) + cellulose (6.5%) 0.111 0.204 bc
0.170 bc 0.185 b 0.186 bc bcd NS Beet pulp (12%) 0.103 0.142 c
0.124 c 0.130 bc 0.132 cd de NS Cellulose (13%) 0.083 x 0.369 a y
0.433 a y 0.260 a y 0.353 a a 0.01 Commercial Cat Food Formulation
0.097 0.105 c 0.095 c 0.105 bc 0.101 d e NS Diet (P<) NS 0.10
0.10 0.10 0.05 0.08 a, b, c Means in the same column with different
superscripts are statistically different (P < 0.05). x, y Means
in the same row with different superscripts are statistically
different (P < 0.05).
EXAMPLE 2
[0040] A second study was conducted using the same evaluation
method as in Example 1 with regard to a fiber blend of 6% beet pulp
and 6% cellulose incorporated in a dietary matrix containing
chicken, poultry meal, ground corn, grain sorghum, egg, fishmeal,
poultry fat, vitamins and minerals. A commercially available cat
food formulation containing approximately 4% beet pulp was included
for comparative purposes.
[0041] The results are shown in Tables 7 to 12 below.
7TABLE 7 Subjective stool scores (1 = liquid, watery; 2 = liquid,
gel; 3 = semi-formed; 4 = formed; 5 = hard, dry) Time Baseline Week
1 Week 2 Week 3 Effect Diet Fiber source SS diet time SS diet time
SS diet time SS diet time (P<) 1 6% Beet pulp, 6% cellulose 3.95
x 3.90 x 4.35 y 4.03 xy 0.10 2 Commercial Cat Food 4.17 3.99 4.04
4.10 NS Formulation Diet Effect (P<) NS NS NS NS
[0042]
8TABLE 8 Shedding index (grams hair collected following brushing)
Overall Mean Baseline (w/covariate) Diet Fiber source g diet g diet
Time 1 6% Beet pulp, 0.401 a 0.475 NS 6% cellulose 2 Commercial
0.283 b 0.461 NS Cat Food Formulation Diet Effect 0.01 NS
(P<)
[0043]
9TABLE 9 Wet feces Baseline Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Time (grams/day)
g/d diet time g/d diet time g/d diet time g/d diet time (p<) 6%
Beetpulp, 6% 20.5 x 32.7 a y 28.2 a y 33.1 a y 0.01 cellulose
Commercial Cat 16.6 16.6 b 43.7 b 13.7 b NS Food Formulation Diet
(P<) NS 0.01 0.01 0.01 a, b, c Means in the same column with
different superscripts are statistically different (P < 0.05).
x, y Means in the same row with different superscripts are
statistically different (P < 0.05).
[0044]
10TABLE 10 Fecal moisture Baseline Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Time
content (%) % diet time % diet time % diet time % diet time (p<)
6% Beet pulp, 6% 60.8 a x 59.9 x 54.4 y 59.6 x 0.05 cellulose
Commercial Cat 54.1 b 56.0 57.6 54.7 NS Food Formulation Diet
(P<) 0.05 NS NS NS a, b, c Means in the same column with
different superscripts are statistically different (P < 0.05).
x, y Means in the same row with different superscripts are
statistically different (P < 0.05).
[0045]
11TABLE 11 Dry feces Baseline Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Time (grams/day)
g/d diet time g/d diet time g/d diet time g/d diet time (p<) 6%
Beet pulp, 6% 7.88 x 12.05 a y 12.41 a y 13.06 a y 0.01 cellulose
Commercial Cat 7.16 6.88 b 6.43 b 6.02 b NS Food Formulation Diet
(P<) NS 0.01 0.01 0.01 a, b, c Means in the same column with
different superscripts are statistically different (P < 0.05).
x, y Means in the same row with different superscripts are
statistically different (P < 0.05).
[0046]
12TABLE 12 Daily fecal hair excretion (separated hair fraction
Baseline Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Time subjected to modified crude) g/d
diet time g/d diet time g/d diet time g/d diet time (p<) 6% Beet
pulp, 6% cellulose 0.084 x 0.107 x 0.191 a y 0.256 a z 0.01
Commercial Cat Food 0.047 0.081 0.099 b 0.095 b NS Formulation Diet
(P<) NS NS 0.01 0.01 a, b, c Means in the same column with
different superscripts are statistically different (P <
0.05).
[0047] As can be seen, cats consuming the diet containing 6% beet
pulp and 6% cellulose exhibited increased hair excretion.
[0048] While certain representative embodiments and details have
been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the
methods and apparatus disclosed herein may be made without
departing from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *