Key Research Findings and Supporting Studies

Diamond CARE pet foods are designed based on proven research and carefully curated studies. This document is a synopsis of the key findings that guided the formulation of Diamond CARE Sensitive Stomach Formula for Adult Dogs.

Appropriate nutrition may be all you need in the management of gastrointestinal tract disease, instead of pharmaceutical agents.

Pharmaceutical agents may be overused in the management of gastrointestinal tract disease.5 Appropriate nutritional management may be the only required treatment in many cases.⁵

Dietary manipulation for chronic idiopathic colitis is controversial, but success with low-residue, relatively hypoallergenic diets has been seen in studies.⁸

Reintroduction of previous diets to dogs with resolved symptoms of chronic idiopathic colitis on test diets resulted in recurrence of symptoms in 82% of the cases.⁸

Successful resolution of clinical signs in colitis cases after failure of drug treatments occurred with the introduction of a highly digestible, relatively hypoallergenic diet.^5,8

If nutrition management is the chosen path, diets should be highly digestible and low in fat, and contain limited ingredients. Fermentable fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids are components of an effective diet.

Diets for managing chronic small bowel diarrhea should be highly digestible, low in fat and contain limited ingredients.^5,8

Successful resolution of clinical signs in colitis cases after failure of drug treatments occurred with the introduction of a highly digestible, relatively hypoallergenic diet.⁵

Many dogs with a food allergy have both skin and gastrointestinal symptoms. Limited-ingredient diets with protein sources such as fish or egg can be used to manage both the skin and gastrointestinal symptoms of food allergy.¹⁰

Diet has been determined to be important in the prevention, short-term and long-term therapy of colitis in dogs. Novel and limited-protein diets, fermentable fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids are components of a successful diet for managing colitis.¹¹

Stress is a trigger for chronic idiopathic large bowel diarrhea in dogs. Highly digestible diets with added soluble fiber can be used to manage the symptoms and prevent recurrence.⁶

Key ingredients such as potatoes and egg can help manage chronic gastrointestinal disturbances with high digestibility and limited antigenicity.

Highly digestible carbohydrates such as potatoes can minimize the possibility of carbohydrate malassimilation.⁵

Starch digestibility of diets containing potatoes as the carbohydrate source was 99.8%.⁷

A single, highly digestible protein source, such as egg, can limit potential antigenicity of the diet.⁵

Appropriate fiber sources can be used to manage digestive disturbances in the large bowel.

Fermentable fibers such as psyllium can be effective in managing large bowel disease.⁶

Fruit fibers such as tomato pomace have a balanced profile of soluble and insoluble dietary fibers as well as the benefit of phytonutrients.³

Tomato pomace has intermediate fermentability and intermediate SCFA production in the colon.¹²

Supplementation with probiotics can be useful in the treatment of acute GI upset, inflammatory bowel disease and the prevention of allergy.

Probiotics administered to dogs with nonspecific dietary sensitivity resulted in improved fecal scores, fecal consistency and defecation frequency.⁹

Probiotics fed to healthy dogs resulted in enhanced populations of probiotic bacteria in the gut with diminished populations of pathogens such as Clostridium spp.^1,2

Supplementation with probiotics can be useful in the treatment of acute GI upset, inflammatory bowel disease and the prevention of allergy.⁴

REFERENCES

1. Baillon ML, Marshall-Jones ZV, Butterwick RF. Effects of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus strain DSM13241 in healthy adult dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2004 Mar; 65(3):338–343.
2. Biourge V, Vallet C, Levesque A, Sergheraert R, Chevalier S, Roberton J-L. The use of probiotics in the diet of dogs. J Nutr. 1998;128:2730S–2732S.
3. De Godoy MRC, Kerr KR, Fahey GC Jr. Alternative dietary fiber sources in companion animal nutrition. Nutrients. 2013;5:3099–3117.
4. Grze ́skowiak Ł, Endo A, Beasley S, Salminen S. Microbiota and probiotics in canine and feline welfare. Anaerobe. 2015 Aug;34:14–23.
5. Guilford WG. Nutritional management of gastrointestinal tract disease of dogs and cats. J Nutr. 1994;124:2663S–2669S.
6. Leib MS. Treatment of chronic idiopathic large-bowel diarrhea in dogs with a highly digestible diet and soluble fiber: a retrospective review of 37 cases. J Vet Intern Med. 2000;14:27–32.
7. Murray SM, Fahey GC Jr., Merchen NR, Sunvold GD, Reinhart GA. Evaluation of selected high-starch flours as ingredients in canine diets. J Anim Sci. 1999;77:2180–2186.
8. Nelson RW, Stookey LJ, Kazacos E. Nutritional management of idiopathic chronic colitis in the dog. J Vet Intern Med. 1988;2:133–137.
9. Pascher M, Hellweg P, Khol-Parisini A, Zentek J. Effects of a probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus strain on feed tolerance in dogs with non-specific dietary sensitivity. Arch Anim Nutr. 2008 Apr;62(2):107–116.
10. Paterson S. Food hypersensitivity in 20 dogs with skin and gastrointestinal signs. J Sm An Pract. 1995;36:529–534.
11. Simpson JW. Diet and large intestinal disease in dogs and cats. J Nutr. 1998;128:2717S-2722S.
12. Swanson KS, Grieshop CM, Clapper GM, Shields RG Jr., Belay T, Merchen NR, Fahey GC Jr. Fruit and vegetable fiber fermentation by gut microflora from canines. J Anim Sci. 2001;79:919–926.

Potatoes, egg product, potato protein, tomato pomace, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), flaxseed, natural flavor, menhaden fish oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, psyllium seed husk, ginger, dried chicory root, choline chloride, taurine, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid.

Contains a source of live (viable), naturally occurring microorganisms.

*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.

3,615 kcal/kg (338 kcal/cup) Calculated Metabolizable Energy

*Based on a 11.3kg bag priced at $124.95 = $11.06 per kg

A standard measuring cup equates to 114g

TRANSITIONAL FEEDING
A gradual incorporation of new food helps prevent any stomach upsets. Adding the new diet in 25% increments can make the transition to a new diet smooth and comfortable.