The nutritional quality of dry dogfood commercialized in Chile for growing dogs was studied. Samples from at least three different batches of 26 dogfood brands were mixed. The resultant samples (n=26) were chemically analyzed to determine their concentrations of dry matter (DM), gross energy, fiber, ash, crude protein, essential amino acids, total fat, linoleic acid and minerals. The metabolizable energy (ME) content of each sample was estimated using modified atwater factors. The results from the chemical analyses were compared with the nutrient profiles published by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Dogfoods that were found to contain an estimated ME of over 4,000kcal/kg DM were corrected for their high energy density before... |