New research has revealed varying absorption rates of carbohydrates in dog food depending on ingredients such as corn, rice, brown rice, and barley. (Image courtesy of the Rural Development Administration)
JEONJU, Jan. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — The Rural Development Administration (RDA) of South Korea announced on January 6 that new research has revealed varying absorption rates of carbohydrates in dog food depending on ingredients such as corn, rice, brown rice, and barley.
RDA researchers analyzed digestibility by feeding dogs experimental food formulated with carbohydrate content similar to commercial pet food for two weeks. The study confirmed that different carbohydrate sources resulted in varying absorption rates in dogs’ bodies.
Currently, commercial dog food sold in South Korea contains carbohydrates primarily from corn, rice, brown rice, barley, oats, potatoes, mung beans, sweet potatoes, beet pulp, and buckwheat, in order of prevalence.
Among these ingredients, barley showed the highest digestibility while corn had the lowest. Mung beans demonstrated the lowest digestibility for protein, carbohydrates, and energy among all carbohydrate sources tested.
The research also found that corn and barley provided higher digestibility of methionine, an essential amino acid crucial for maintaining dogs’ urinary tract health, coat condition, and skin health.
Based on these findings, the study concluded that dog food containing mung beans is more suitable for less active dogs or those requiring weight management due to its lower digestibility. Conversely, growing puppies or highly active dogs would benefit more from food containing rice, corn, or brown rice, which offer higher energy utilization rates.
The RDA expects these research findings to be valuable for pet food manufacturers in producing nutritionally balanced dog food.
“Along with these findings, we are establishing methods to predict in-vivo digestibility through non-animal experiments and developing application technologies,” said Hwang Sung-soo, head of the Animal Welfare Research Team at the National Institute of Animal Science.
“We will continue to accumulate scientific data to support improvements in pet food regulations and industry development.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
