Ching-Yen Lin and colleagues (2023), writing in the Journal of Animal Science, investigated differences in health outcomes between a premium dry dog food (Blue Buffalo) and a grocery kibble over 180 days in healthy adult dogs. The study evaluated digestibility, blood biomarkers, and the fecal microbiome.
Sixty dogs were randomly assigned to one of the two diets, while a separate 10-day digestibility study used 12 dogs. Across the trial, both diets were highly digestible, and stool quality remained consistent between groups. However, significant differences were observed in blood parameters and the gut microbiome.
Key findings included:
• Dogs fed grocery kibble had higher liver enzyme concentrations (alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) and higher monocyte counts.
• Dogs fed the premium diet showed elevated serum pancreatic polypeptide, suggesting differences in digestive hormone regulation.
• Dogs consuming the premium kibble had a lower dysbiosis index, reflecting a healthier gut microbiome.
• Premium-fed dogs had higher abundances of Bifidobacterium and Megamonas, and lower Streptococcus compared to the grocery-fed group.
These results suggest that while digestibility was similar across both diets, premium kibble offered gut health and biomarker advantages. The study highlights that diet quality can influence long-term physiological outcomes beyond basic nutrient absorption.
Source: Lin, C.-Y., Daristotle, L., & Franz, N. (2023). PSVIII-21 A Premium Dry Dog Food Elicits Gut Health Benefits Compared with a Grocery Dry Dog Food. Journal: Journal of Animal Science. Publication Date: 2023-11-06. Authors: Ching-Yen Lin, Linda Daristotle, Norman Franz.
