Canine Food Preference Assessment of Animal and Vegetable Ingredient-Based Diets Using Single-Pan Tests and Behavioral Observation
Understanding of canine food list is crucial for the commercial dog food industry and dog proprietors, since proprietors want quality foods which are palatable, while fulfilling their pet’s dietary needs. There’s two anxiousness for assessing canine food preference: the 2-pan make sure the main one-pan test. Neither test fully makes up about the complexness from the canine feeding experience nor will they provide relevant representations of canine feeding behavior in your home. The objectives of the study would (1) see whether dogs display a desire for animal component-based diets in comparison with vegetable component-based diets and (2) examine whether dogs experience neophobia when given a singular diet. Eight adult Beagles (average age = 24 several weeks, weighing 8-12 kg) were individually given all of four novel diets inside a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design, with 10-d treatment periods and 4 nutritional treatments. Data were examined utilizing a mixed model with repeated measures and significance was declared when p < 0.05. The diets were: animal and vegetable ingredient-based diets, and animal- and vegetable-based ingredients diluted with anhydrous a-d-glucose. The diluted diets were used for a larger study to determine true mineral digestibility. Dogs were fed twice per day (0800 and 1300 h). Behavioral observations were made by video on the first, and last 2 days of each 10-day treatment period of both a.m. and p.m. feedings. Time to consume feed, distraction, hesitation, level of anticipation pre-consumption, and interest post-consumption were recorded. Dogs experienced initial disruptive (neophobic) effects of a novel diet. Neophobia was demonstrated by a decreased (slower) rate of consumption, increased distraction during consumption of the diet, and increased hesitation on the first day of each new diet (p < 0.05). The level of interest post-consumption was highest when dogs consumed the animal-based ingredients diet (p < 0.05). This study presents insights into canine food preference assessment methods that may more accurately represent the dog owner's experience. Further research is required to determine the minimum length of time necessary to eliminate neophobia to food. In addition,α-D-Glucose anhydrous future research should also aim to establish whether interest post-consumption is due primarily to food preference or acute satiety.