High-protein diets may aid weight loss and weight maintenance programs in both humans and dogs, although the effect of dietary protein levels on gut metabolism and functionality has not been studied in depth. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of an altered dietary protein:carbohydrate ratio on gut function in adult dogs by means of faecal metabolomic fingerprinting. More specifically, functional metabolic differences in dogs fed a high-protein/low-carbohydrate (HPLC) vs. low-protein/high-carbohydrate (LPHC) diet were studied by equally allocating twelve clinically healthy (6 lean and 6 obese) Beagles into two groups in a cross-over design, with each group receiving two isocaloric diets for four weeks. The faecal metabolome revealed that different protein:carbohydrate ratio can influence host and/or gut microbiome metabolism and function, while no effect was observed on the body condition. Targeted analysis demonstrated that the HPLC diet significantly increased the concentration of indole, spermidine, and pipecolinic acid and decreased the concentration of azelaic acid, D-fructose, mannose, and galactose (p < 0.05). Multivariate modelling (OPLS-DA) of the untargeted faecal metabolome revealed distinctly different metabolomic profiles following the HPLC vs. LPHC diet, with 18 altered pathways. The HPLC diet influenced amino acid and lipid metabolism, potentially promoting weight loss and immune function, whereas the LPHC diet affected carbohydrate fermentation and may promote anti-oxidative function.
Keywords: Canine; dietary carbohydrate; faecal metabolome; gut health; obesity; protein intake.