Effects of a novel dental chew on oral health outcomes, halitosis, and microbiota of adult dogs.

Halitosis in dogs is an initial indication of periodontitis, highlighting its significance as a vital marker for underlying problems. Moreover, the oral microbial population has a significant influence on periodontal disease. Measuring the oral microbiota may be used in addition to breath odor, dental plaque, and gingivitis scoring to assess the impact of dental chews on oral health. In this study, we aimed to determine the differences in breath odor, oral health outcomes, and oral microbiota of adult dogs consuming a novel dental chew compared with control dogs consuming only a diet. Twelve healthy adult female beagle dogs were used in a crossover design study. Treatments (n = 12/group) included: diet only (control) or the diet + a novel dental chew. Each day, one chew was provided 4 h after mealtime. On days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 27, breath samples were analyzed for total volatile sulfur compound concentrations using a halimeter. On day 0 of each period, teeth were cleaned by a veterinary dentist blinded to treatments. Teeth were scored for plaque, calculus, and gingivitis by the same veterinary dentist on day 28 of each period. After scoring, subgingival and supragingival plaque samples were collected for microbiota analysis using Illumina MiSeq. All data were analyzed using SAS (version 9.4) using the Mixed Models procedure, with P < 0.05 being significant. Overall, the dental chews were well accepted. Dogs consuming the dental chews had lower calculus coverage, thickness, and scores, lower gingivitis scores, and less pocket bleeding than control dogs. Breath volatile sulfur compounds were lower in dogs consuming the dental chews. Bacterial alpha-diversity analysis demonstrated that control dogs had higher bacterial richness than dogs fed dental chews. Bacterial beta-diversity analysis demonstrated that samples clustered based on treatment. In subgingival and supragingival plaque, control dogs had higher relative abundances of potentially pathogenic bacteria (Pelistega, Desulfovibrio, Desulfomicrobium, Fretibacterium, Helcococcus, and Treponema) and lower relative abundances of genera associated with oral health (Neisseria, Actinomyces, and Corynebacterium). Our results suggest that the dental chew tested in this study may aid in reducing periodontal disease risk in dogs by beneficially shifting the microbiota population and inhabiting plaque buildup.

In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of a novel dental chew on the breath odor, oral health outcomes, and oral microbiota of dogs. Healthy adult dogs were used in a crossover design study to test a diet only (control) or the diet plus a novel dental chew. Each day, one chew was provided 4 h after mealtime. Breath samples were analyzed over time and teeth were scored for plaque, calculus, and gingivitis by a veterinary dentist on day 28 of each period. After scoring, subgingival and supragingival plaque samples were collected for microbiota analysis. Dogs consuming dental chews had lower calculus coverage, thickness, and scores, lower gingivitis scores, and less pocket bleeding than control dogs. Breath volatile sulfur compounds were lower in dogs consuming dental chews. Bacterial alpha-diversity was higher in control dogs than in dogs fed dental chews. Bacterial beta-diversity analysis demonstrated sample clustering based on treatment. Control dogs had higher relative abundances of potentially pathogenic bacteria and lower relative abundances of genera associated with oral health. Our results suggest that the dental chew tested may aid in reducing periodontal disease risk in dogs by beneficially shifting microbiota and inhabiting plaque buildup.

Dietary enrichment of resistant starches or fibers differentially alter the feline fecal microbiome and metabolite profile.

BACKGROUND: Cats are strict carnivores but possess a complex gastrointestinal (GI) microbial community that actively ferments dietary substrates that are not digested and reach the colon. The GI microbiota responses to dietary inclusion of resistant starches versus fibers have not been tested in cats. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the effects of diets enriched in resistant starch or fibers on the fecal characteristics, microbiome, and metabolite profiles of cats. Twelve healthy adult domestic shorthair cats (age = 9.6 ± 4.0 year; body weight = 3.9 ± 1.0 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design to test diets that were enriched with: (1) resistant starch (ERS), (2) a fiber-prebiotic-probiotic blend (FPPB), or (3) a fiber-prebiotic-probiotic blend + immune-modulating ingredients (iFPPB). In each 28-day period, 22 days of diet adaptation was followed by fecal and blood sample collection. Fecal samples were used for shotgun metagenomic sequencing. In addition, fecal and blood metabolite measurements and white blood cell stimulation was performed to assess immune function. RESULTS: A total of 1690 bacterial species were identified, with 259 species differing between fiber-rich and ERS treatments. In comparison with fiber-rich treatments that increased diversity and promoted Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes populations, resistant starch reduced microbial diversity and fecal pH, led to a bloom in Actinobacteria, and modified Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes orthology (KO) terms pertaining to starch and sucrose metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism, epithelial cell signaling, among others. Resistant starch also differentially modified fecal metabolite concentrations with relevance to GI and overall host health (increased butyrate; decreased propionate and protein catabolites - branched-chain fatty acids; phenols and indoles; ammonia) and reduced blood cholesterol, which correlated strongly with microbial taxa and KO terms, and allowed for a high predictive efficiency of diet groups by random forest analysis. CONCLUSION: Even though domestic cats and other carnivores evolved by eating low-carbohydrate diets rich in protein and fat, our results demonstrate that the feline microbiome and metabolite profiles are highly responsive to dietary change and in directions that are predictable.

Dietary supplementation with fiber, "biotics," and spray-dried plasma affects apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility and the fecal characteristics, fecal microbiota, and immune function of adult dogs.

A variety of functional ingredients, including fibers, prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics may be added to pet foods to support gastrointestinal and immune health. While many of these ingredients have been tested individually, commercial foods often include blends that also require testing. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets containing blends of fibers, "biotics," and/or spray-dried plasma on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), stool quality, fecal microbiota and metabolites, and immune health outcomes of adult dogs. A total of 12 healthy adult intact English pointer dogs (6 M, 6 F; age = 6.4 ± 2.0 yr; BW = 25.8 ± 2.6 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design to test diets formulated to: 1) contain a low concentration of fermentative substances (control diet, CT); 2) be enriched with a fiber-prebiotic-probiotic blend (FPPB); and 3) be enriched with a fiber-prebiotic-probiotic blend + immune-modulating ingredients (iFFPB). In each 28-d period, 22 d of diet adaptation was followed by a 5-d fecal collection phase and 1 d for blood sample collection. All data were analyzed using SAS 9.4, with significance being P < 0.05 and trends being P < 0.10. FPPB and iFPPB diets led to shifts in numerous outcome measures. Dry matter (DM), organic matter, fat, fiber, and energy ATTD were lower (P < 0.01), fecal scores were lower (P < 0.01; firmer stools), and fecal DM% was higher (P < 0.0001) in dogs fed FPPB or iFPPB than those fed CT. Serum triglycerides and cholesterol were lower (P < 0.01) in dogs fed FPPB or iFPPB than those fed CT. Fecal protein catabolites (isobutyrate, isovalerate, indole, and ammonia) and butyrate were lower (P < 0.05), while fecal immunoglobulin A (IgA) was higher (P < 0.01) in dogs fed FPPB and iFPPB than those fed CT. Fecal microbiota populations were affected by diet, with alpha-diversity being lower (P < 0.05) in dogs fed iFPPB and the relative abundance of 20 bacterial genera being altered in dogs fed FPPB or iFPPB compared with CT. The circulating helper T cell:cytotoxic T cell ratio was higher (P < 0.05) in dogs fed iFPPB than those fed CT. Circulating B cells were lower (P < 0.05) in dogs fed FPPB than those fed iFPPB, and lower (P < 0.05) in dogs fed iFPPB than those fed CT. Our results demonstrate that feeding a fiber-prebiotic-probiotic blend may provide many benefits to canine health, including improved stool quality, beneficial shifts to fecal microbiota and metabolite profiles, reduced blood lipids, and increased fecal IgA.

A variety of functional ingredients­those that provide benefits beyond their nutritional value­may be added to pet foods to support gastrointestinal and immune health. While many of these ingredients have been tested individually, commercial foods often include blends that also require testing. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets containing blends of dietary fibers and other functional ingredients on nutrient digestibility and the stool characteristics and immune health outcomes of adult dogs consuming them. Treatments included a control diet containing low amounts of dietary fiber, a diet containing a fiber­prebiotic­probiotic blend, and a diet containing the fiber­prebiotic­probiotic blend as well as immune-modulating ingredients. The test diets were shown to shift many outcome measures. First, they were shown to reduce nutrient digestibility and decrease fecal scores (more firm stool). Second, test diets reduced blood lipids and beneficially altered fecal metabolite concentrations. Third, test diets increased fecal immunoglobulin A concentrations, suggesting enhanced gut immunity. Lastly, the test diets shifted fecal bacterial populations. Our results demonstrate that feeding a fiber­prebiotic­probiotic blend may provide many benefits to canine health, including improved stool quality, beneficial shifts to fecal bacteria and metabolite profiles, reduced blood lipids, and enhanced gut immunity.