Effects of balanced powder food cooked for different cooking times on preference, digestibility and stool quality in dogs

Aim: This study was aimed to investigate the effects of balanced powdered food prepared at different cooking times on preference rate, digestibility and stool quality in dogs. Materials and Methods: Sixteen adult Golden Retriever dogs (3-4 years old) were used. In digestibility trials, 10 dogs were divided into two groups according to their live weights. Food mixed with water and cooked daily. The first group (n=5) was given food cooked for 15min, the other (n=5) for 30min. Determination of digestibility by acid insoluble ash method was carried out for 9 days (5d acclimatization, 4d stool collection). Stool scoring was performed by 4 different researchers before collection. Dry matter contents were determined by taking samples from the feces of dogs. Twopan preference test was also performed. This test was carried out for 12 days and 16 dogs were used. Preference rates were determined by giving 15min and 30min cooked foods at the same time. Results: Dry matter digestibility of the groups consuming powder foods cooked for 15min and 30min were 74.12% and 77.96% respectively. Organic matter digestibilities were 79.23% and 83.49% respectively (p> 0.05). Food cooked for 15min was preferred 51%, and 30min was preferred as 49% (p> 0.05). The stool consistency score and stool dry matter of the dog group that consumed the food cooked for 15min were 3.97 and 36.52% respectively; In the group that consumed the food cooked for 30min were 4.07 and 38.84% respectively (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Cooking time has a significant effect on digestibility parameters in dogs, cooking for 15min is sufficient for the food used in this study. It has been determined that the prepared powdered formula has high digestibility. New studies need to be made by preparing different types of food and diets on the subject of natural dog feeding.