Evaluation of Byproduct Feedstuffs as Dietary Ingredients for Dogs

Summary Six experiments were conducted to determine the ability of both adult and immature dogs to utilize various byproduct feedstuffs (distillers dried grains with solubles, beet pulp, grape pomace and tomato pomace). Supplementation of diets with low levels (4 to 8%) of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) had no effect on the apparent digestibility of dry matter (DMD) or starch by adult dogs. Moderate levels of DDGS (16.1%) depressed (P<.05) DMD and had no effect on starch or energy digestibility. High levels of DDGS (26.1%) decreased (P<.05) DMD and energy digestibility and had no effect on crude protein digestibility. Growing puppies fed a moderate level of DDGS (14.1%) digested less (P<.01) dry matter and energy but more (P<.05) ADF than puppies fed no DDGS. N intake and fecal N were reduced (P<.01) by DDGS supplementation. Urinary N, total N, absorbed N and retained N were not affected by treatment. Each of two levels of beet pulp (6 and 12%) reduced (P<.05)dry matter digestibility by adult dogs, but energy and crude protein digestibilities were not affected. Acid detergent fiber digestibility was increased (P<.05) when 6% beet pulp was incorporated into the diet. Adult dogs fed 8% tomato pomace digested significantly less dry matter, energy and crude protein than dogs given no tomato pomace. Grape pomace addition depressed (P<.01) digestibilities of all nutrients tested.