Effects of spray-dried animal plasma on food intake and apparent nutrient digestibility by cats when added to a wet pet food recipe

Spray dried animal plasma (SDAP) is a preferred binder in canned pet food products due to its high protein content and excellent physicochemical properties and because it is highly preferred by cats. Eleven mixed breed adult cats were used in a crossover digestibility design study to determine apparent nutrient digestibility of canned chunks and gravy food containing either 30 g/kg SDAP or 30 g/kg wheat gluten (WG) added to the emulsion as binders for producing chunks prior to addition of gravy and subsequent sterilization and canning. Cats were fed 400 g/d of each diet for a 7 d acclimation period followed by a 5 d fecal collection period. Cats fed the SDAP diet had improved (P < 0.05) apparent dry matter, crude fiber, ash, phosphorus, and calcium digestibility compared to the WG diet. Results indicate that components in SDAP may retain biological functions that exert beneficial effects on the digestive system of healthy adult cats even after sterilization and canning.