| Abstrakt: |
The cultivation and utilization of hemp and hemp-derived products have increased at a rapid pace since the enactment of the 2018 farm bill which provided changes in regulation related to cannabis. Although there are three hemp-derived ingredients that have been generally recognized as safe status for human consumption by the FDA, no ingredients have been approved by the FDA for consumption by companion animals or defined by AAFCO. Hemp seeds have the potential to act as a rich source of plant protein, polyunsaturated fatty-acids, and dietary fiber in companion animal nutrition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing ground whole hemp seed in a baked chew on voluntary physical activity, fecal characteristics, fermentative-end products, and overall health status in healthy adult dogs. All animal procedures were approved by the University of Illinois Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and were in accordance with the United States Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Thirty adult beagle dogs were used in a complete randomized design, with ten dogs assigned to each treatment. The dogs were fed the same commercially available, complete and balanced diet and were supplemented with one of three baked chews containing either a high inclusion of ground hemp seed (50%), a low inclusion of ground hemp seed (25%), or cellulose. The baked chews were fed at a level of 10% of the daily intake for 28 d and were formulated to be similar in macronutrient composition, approximately 25% fat, 20% protein, and 25% total dietary fiber. Duration and intensity of voluntary physical activity was measured using activity monitors for 4 d before supplementation and at the end of the supplementation period (d 24 to 27). Fasted blood and a fresh fecal sample were taken on d 0, 14, and 28 to monitor health status, blood variables, fecal characteristics and fermentative-end product concentrations. The baked chews were well accepted by the dogs with minimal intake refusals, and all dogs remained clinically healthy for the duration of the experimental period. No differences in fecal score or fecal pH were observed among the treatment groups (P> 0.05). The treatment did not have an effect on fecal concentrations of volatile fatty acids including acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, isovalerate, and isobutyrate (P> 0.05). Concentrations of fecal ammonia, phenols, and indoles were also similar among the groups (P> 0.05). No adverse effects were observed, and the data suggest that in a baked chew the whole ground hemp seed was comparable to the cellulose control. |
