The consumption of carbohydrates from pine trees could improve dogs’ digestive health, reports one study from the US Department of Agriculture, which worked with corporate and university scientists. Already these carbs have been long used in animal feed such as for cattle – now it looks as though they could one day have a role to play in pet care as well.
Called GGMOs, the carbs are a by-product of treating the wood chips that are left after the trees have been cut down and made into timber. Chips tend to be treated with high pressure, heat and water so that they become separated into cellulosic fibre and hemicellulosic carbs, like the GGMOs.
Two studies have so far been carried out. In one, in 2007, fibre rich carbs were studied in an agreement between the US Agricultural Research Service and a Texan producer of wood products. This research was followed by a second collaborative study.
Some dogs (six healthy females) were given a “control” kibble containing no added GGMOs.
Faecal samples of all dogs were studied, and analysis showed that raising the percentage of pine GGMos in kibble was generally linked to a number of important suggestions of a healthy lower digestive system, as well as rise in numbers of beneficial Bifidobacterium bacteria.
The studies are part of ongoing investigations to find new, renewable uses of plants. Findings have been published in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry and the Journal of Animal Science.
