Effects of yeast extract on diet digestibility and intestinal fermentation metabolites in dogs

Yeast extract is rich in nutrients, including amino acids, nucleic acids, and B vitamins, which can contribute to the intestinal health of dogs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of yeast extract supplementation on diet digestibility, fecal characteristics, and intestinal fermentation metabolites in dogs. The analyses of diet digestibility, fecal concentrations of short-chain and branched-chain fatty acids and ammonia, fecal pH, score (1 = liquid and 5 = dry), dry matter (DM), and production were conducted using 12 adult Beagle dogs, randomly distributed into two diets containing 0% and 2% yeast extract (n = 6/treatment). The dogs were fed the experimental diets for 25 days of adaptation, followed by 5 days of total fecal collection. The 2% yeast extract diet reduced crude protein digestibility (P < 0.05) but did not influence other apparent digestibility coefficients (P > 0.05). However, the diet with the inclusion of 2% yeast extract increased fecal concentrations of acetate (P < 0.05) and improved fecal score (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 2% yeast extract improved fecal concentrations of acetate and fecal consistency, without affecting the digestibility of most diet fractions in dogs.