Fructan supplementation affects nitrogen partitioning in excreta and stool metabolite concentrations in healthy senior cats

Abstract

Inulin‐type fructan (ITF) supplementation was evaluated in senior (≥ 9 y) cats to determine nitrogen (N) partitioning in excreta and stool metabolite concentrations. One of two ITF‐based supplements (oligofructose or SynergyC, an experimental blend of short and long chain ITF) was added to a commercially available wet cat food with low intrinsic fiber content at 1% on a dry weight basis. All cats were fed the diet without supplemental ITF for 7 d, after which cats were assigned to one of three treatment groups for 21 d. Total feces and urine excreted were collected from the cats on d 6–7 (baseline) and d 22–28 (treatment). No differences were observed in food intake; fecal output, dry matter percentage, or score; fecal or urinary ammonia output; or N retention. Supplemental ITF decreased (P < 0.05) N digestibility and fecal histamine, spermidine, and indole concentrations. Supplementation with SynergyC increased (P < 0.10) fecal propionate concentration. While not statistically significant, a numerical decrease in urinary N content was observed in ITF‐supplemented cats. Decreased apparent N digestibility was likely due to an increase in microbial protein synthesis in ITF‐supplemented cats. ITF supplementation may be beneficial to the senior cat as a result of its ability to modulate N concentration in excreta and decrease odor‐ and disease‐causing metabolites in feces.This work was sponsored by BENEO‐Orafti.