Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Whole Lamb Omasum on Gut Health and Metabolism in Shiba Inu Dogs.

ABSTRACT: The growing pet economy boosts demand for fiber-enriched functional foods to improve canine gut motility and metabolic health. However, low-bioavailability commercial fibers often falter in high-energy diets. Whole lamb omasum-from grass-fed sheep omasum and gastric contents-repurposes a discarded byproduct for waste reduction and sustainable livestock production. This study evaluated the short-term effects of WLO supplementation on gut health and metabolism in healthy adult Shiba Inu dogs. Twelve dogs were randomly assigned to control or WLO groups in a randomized controlled trial. WLO supplementation significantly reduced fecal scores by 8.91% (p < 0.05), increased apparent crude fat and fiber digestibility by 3.70% and 11.55% (p < 0.05), and elevated serum IgA by 35.79-36.

SUBMITTER: Jin A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12846557 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature