The effect of Miscanthus grass as a fiber source in cat diets on nutrient utilization and stool consistency

• Published in: Journal of animal science Vol. 94; pp. 204 - 205
• Main Authors: Donadelli, R A, Aldrich, C G, Alvarenga, I C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Champaign Oxford University Press 01.10.2016
• Subjects: Animal sciences; Ashes; Body weight; Body weight loss; Cages; Cats; Cellulose; Cellulose fibers; Consistency; Corn; Data processing; Defecation; Diet; Digestibility; Dilution; Feces; Food intake; Grasses; Minerals; Miscanthus; Nutrient utilization; Nutrients; pH effects; Proteins; Pulp; Urine; Vitamins; Weight reduction; Wheat
• ISSN: 0021-8812; 1525-3163

High levels of insoluble fiber are commonly used in cat foods to increase energy dilution (weight loss) and to promote digesta flow (reducing hairballs). There are two commonly used fibers: cellulose (CE) and a beet pulp (BP). Miscanthus grass (MG) is a C4 forage grown for its cellulose content. Nutritional information for MG is scarce; therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the effect of 10% fiber in cat diets on nutrients digestibility and stool consistency. Experimental diets were based on 90% of ration (low ash chicken byproduct meal, brewers rice, corn, wheat, corn protein concentrate, minerals and vitamins, both as recommended allowances NRC, 2006) plus 10% of each fiber source. The feeding trial was approved by Institutional Animal Care and use Committee at Kansas State University Research Compliance Office. Cats, 12 American shorthairs, were group-housed but fed individually in cages during 9-d adaptation and kept individually caged during the 5-d collection period. Animals were fed twice daily in a replicated Latin square design, with water available throughout the experimental period. Diets and feces were analyzed for proximate analysis and acid insoluble ash (AIA); additionally, apparent total tract digestibility (ATD) and urine pH were computed. Data was analyzed using statistical software (SAS v9.4) using the GLM procedure. Cats maintained body weight throughout the duration of the study (average 4.6 kg). Food intake, defecation frequency, fecal scores, and urine pH were not different (P < 0.05) (average 374.8g*d-1, 1.2*d-1, 3.1, 6.94, respectively). The DM and OM digestibility of BP were greater (P < 0.05) than for cats fed MG or CE for both TFC (DM; 81.14, 76.22, 75.45%, OM; 85.85, 80.47, 79.37%, respectively) and AIA (DM; 71.18, 69.54, 61.98%, OM; 77.5, 74.46, 67.49%, respectively) methods. The CP digestibility was not different among treatments for TFC (average 85.34%) and for AIA greater (P < 0.05) for MG than CE with BP intermediate (81.18, 74.59, 78.21%, respectively). The EE digestibility by TFC were similar for MG and CE and each greater (P < 0.05) than BP (89.15 and 89.64 vs. 84.96%, respectively) and by AIA there was no difference among the treatments (average 82.15%). While differences in ATD observed the values for MG were within the range of those for CE and BP for both methods of assessment. Miscanthus grass appears to be an effective alternative to BP and CE in high fiber cat diets.