JP7818410B2 - dog food - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to dog food. More specifically, it relates to dog food for specific dog breeds, known as Japanese dogs and dog breeds native to Japan, which has the effect of improving the health of dogs by improving their coat and stool quality when fed to these breeds.

In recent years, there has been a pet boom, with many households keeping pets as pets. The positive effects on the health of pet owners are becoming widely known, including the mental comfort they can gain from interacting with pets and the improved physical health that comes from the physical activity and regular lifestyle they provide through caring for a pet. It is expected that more and more pets will be kept in the future.

A variety of pets are kept as pets, but dogs are one of the most popular pets, possessing many desirable qualities, such as becoming accustomed to their owners, being obedient, and having a variety of breeds of different sizes and appearances to suit the preferences of their owners. Pet dogs (hereafter referred to as "pet dogs") are often regarded by their owners as important members of the family, and their health is a major concern.

While there are many factors that affect the health of pet dogs, one major factor that cannot be ignored is the choice of diet. Many pet dog breeds have been artificially bred and standardized to achieve desirable appearances and personalities. During this process, the preferred diet for each breed is thought to have changed. However, the diets offered to pet dogs today are not necessarily selected with the needs of each breed in mind. Feeding an inappropriate diet for a particular breed can lead to symptoms like indigestion in the short term, and in the long term, can cause inconveniences such as deficiencies in essential nutrients and the development of illnesses due to their lack. To address this issue, various dog foods have been developed and marketed to meet the needs of specific breeds of pet dogs.

JP 2020-502039 A discloses dog food for small dogs that contains specific amounts of amino acids, including phenylalanine, tyrosine, and lysine, and probiotics that reduce bacteria that are members of the Bacteroidales, Clostridiales, or Enterobacteriaceae families, which are capable of producing p-cresol.

The publication explains that it is necessary to adjust the amount of dog food required not only based on the age, size, and health condition of the dog, but also on the different breeds of canids. For example, it has been revealed that small dogs require higher intakes of several amino acids, primarily phenylalanine, tyrosine, and lysine. The dog food disclosed in the publication is said to contain these ingredients, and feeding them is expected to help maintain the health of small dogs.

Like the example of the invention described in the same publication, many inventions have been made that attempt to provide dog food optimized for a dog's age, size, health condition, or specific breed, and many of these are currently on the market. However, most of these dog foods address nutrient deficiencies or insufficiencies by supplementing them with specific nutrients. Another type of dog food has been introduced to the market in recent years, due to the growing problem of obesity in pet dogs and the resulting diabetes and other adult diseases similar to those in humans. Many dog foods have been reduced in fat content to make them low in calories. However, it is generally not advisable to restrict the fat intake of healthy pet dogs that are not obese. While excessive intake of high-calorie fats should be avoided as it can lead to obesity, dogs generally have a high fat metabolism capacity, and as long as their total calorie intake is controlled, they rarely develop health problems. Rather, it is said that an excessive proportion of carbohydrates in total calories intake can cause diabetes and strain the digestive system, so caution is required.

However, the inventors of the present application have discovered that even in pet dogs that are by no means obese and are generally considered to be in good health, a lower proportion of fat in the total calorie intake can improve their health. Furthermore, they have discovered that similar effects can be achieved by eliminating or reducing the content of components other than fat, specifically proteins derived from certain ingredients. Here, improving health does not mean curing serious illnesses, but rather achieving a more favorable state within the range that can be considered healthy, thereby improving the quality of life of pet dogs.

Examples of improved health include the following: Minor changes in coat condition or stool quality are hardly considered serious illnesses, and are generally considered to be within the range of normal, everyday fluctuations. However, if these are left untreated and allowed to progress, they may worsen into skin disorders, diarrhea, malnutrition, and other conditions. Preventing these or improving them while they are still minor is a typical example of the improved health envisioned by this invention.

Through detailed observations, the inventors of the present application have discovered a strong correlation between the nutrients provided and the improvement in health conditions described above. More specifically, it has been shown that coat condition, stool quality, and diarrheal symptoms can be improved by keeping the percentage of fat intake low and reducing the amount of protein derived from specific ingredients, specifically beef, pork, and salmon, and more preferably by reducing or eliminating lactose.

In addition to the above, we have also found that the health-improving effects are even more pronounced when certain functional foods, such as probiotics such as Lactobacillus sporogenes, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Clostridium butyricum, as well as their prebiotics, dietary fiber, Cordyceps sinensis, and natto, are ingested. Furthermore, we have found that whether or not such effects are exhibited varies greatly depending on the breed of pet dog, with significant effects being exhibited in so-called Japanese dogs and dog breeds native to Japan. Specifically, we have confirmed that the present invention exhibits significant effects in Japanese dog breeds such as Shiba Inu, Akita Inu, Kishu Inu, Kai Inu, Hokkaido Inu, and Shikoku Inu. Furthermore, we have confirmed that the present invention exhibits significant effects in Japanese dog breeds such as Japanese Chin, Japanese Spitz, Japanese Terrier, Tosa Fighting Dog, Yakushima Inu, and Kawakami Inu. Hereinafter, these Japanese dogs and dog breeds native to Japan will be collectively referred to as "Japanese dogs, etc." Furthermore, dog breeds to which the dog food of the present invention should be fed, i.e., dog breeds (including Japanese dogs, etc.) whose health condition improves when fed the dog food of the present invention, are referred to as "target dog breeds."

The exact reason why limiting the amount of fat, protein derived from certain ingredients, and lactose in Japanese dogs and other breeds improves their health is unknown, but it is likely related to the fact that Japanese dogs and other breeds are dog breeds that have evolved in symbiosis with humans for many years in Japan. In other words, while they are less able to utilize ingredients that were rare in the Japanese diet until modern times, such as beef, pork, and dairy products, and are less able to metabolize fat, they appear to be more suited to a diet that is relatively high in dietary fiber and carbohydrates.

Based on these research results, the inventors have developed a dog food that can further improve the health of pet dogs, including Japanese breeds. The present invention aims to improve the health of pet dogs through an epidemiological approach, regardless of the validity of the hypothesized mechanism.

Published Patent Publication No. 2020-502039

As explained above, the problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide dog food that can improve the health of Japanese dogs and other breeds, including the condition of their skin and coat, stool quality, and diarrheal symptoms, thereby improving their quality of life.

(1) In order to solve the above problem, in the present invention,
Contains 5% or more by dry weight but less than 10% by dry weight crude fat,
This dog food is characterized by not containing beef, pork, or salmon as ingredients.

The dog food of the present invention has a crude fat content of 5% to less than 10% by dry weight, which is lower than the 10% to 20% by dry weight content of typical dog foods generally available on the market. While dog foods for obese pet dogs are known to contain even less crude fat (e.g., 8% by dry weight), this is a significantly lower crude fat content than typical dog foods intended for healthy pet dogs.

The fat contained in dog food is digested and absorbed, and then metabolized and utilized as lipids in the pet dog's body. However, the target dog breeds have a low ability to metabolize lipids, and when fed dog food containing the same amount of fat as pet dogs of normal breeds with no problems with lipid metabolism, the digestibility tends to be low and the stool quality tends to deteriorate. However, by adjusting the fat content in the dog food to a low level, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of these minor health problems.

The target dog breeds appear to have innate weaknesses, such as lower activity of proteolytic enzymes, such as cysteine proteases, compared to other dog breeds, making them less able to digest, absorb, and metabolize certain ingredients or proteins derived from them. According to the inventor's research, these specific ingredients are specifically beef, pork, and salmon, and ingesting these ingredients and their derived proteins can cause indigestion. Therefore, by producing dog food that does not contain these ingredients or their derived proteins, indigestion can be prevented. Note that "excluding beef, pork, and salmon" as ingredients actively means that these ingredients are not used as ingredients in dog food. Therefore, for example, even if various dog foods are produced using shared production facilities and very small amounts of these ingredients are mixed in as impurities, this still meets the requirement that the ingredients do not contain beef, pork, or salmon, and is included in the present invention. Specifically, the content of beef, pork, and salmon must be less than 0.1% by dry weight. This level of content does not cause health problems in pet dogs of the target dog breeds.

(2) In order to solve the above problem, in the present invention,
The dog food according to (1) is characterized in that it contains crude fat in an amount of 6.5% by dry weight or more and less than 8% by dry weight.

As previously explained, consuming a high amount of lipids in the target breeds can cause undesirable symptoms, such as reduced digestibility and poor stool quality, even if not serious. However, lipids are an important nutrient for dogs. Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, in particular, is an essential fatty acid that cannot be synthesized in the body. Deficiency or insufficiency can lead to loss of coat luster, skin diseases such as dermatitis, and impaired kidney function. Furthermore, dogs can convert linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, into alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid, so omega-3 fatty acids are not essential fatty acids. However, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids fed to dogs is said to be related to their health. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that dogs ingest the fatty acids essential for their health through their diet. For this reason, it is preferable to ensure that essential fatty acids are met through dog food containing at least 6.5% crude fat by dry weight, even for pet dogs of the target breeds, which are thought to have a low lipid metabolism capacity.

As already explained, in order to ensure that pet dogs receive the essential fatty acids they need through their diet, it is preferable for pet dogs of the target breeds, which are thought to have a low lipid metabolism capacity, to have dog food containing 4% or more crude fat by dry weight. However, dog food containing 6.5% or more crude fat by dry weight is more preferable. This level of fat content prevents most pet dogs of the target breeds from becoming over-lipidized, while at the same time more reliably preventing them from becoming deficient or insufficient in essential fatty acids.

Furthermore, as already explained, feeding pet dogs of target breeds thought to have a low lipid metabolism capacity dog food with a low fat content of approximately 10% by dry weight can prevent undesirable symptoms such as low digestibility and poor stool quality. However, research by the present inventor has shown that even greater effects can be achieved by further reducing the crude fat content to approximately 8% by dry weight. Meanwhile, lipids are important nutrients for dogs, and linolenic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, is an essential fatty acid that must be ingested through the diet. A deficiency or insufficiency of lipids can immediately lead to health problems such as loss of coat luster, skin disorders like dermatitis, and impaired kidney function.

However, even when dog food is carefully prepared, since it is made from natural ingredients, there is inevitably a certain degree of variation in the nutrients it contains. While reducing the crude fat in dog food can help prevent minor health problems, there is also the risk that a deficiency in essential fatty acids within the range of nutrient variation could actually lead to health problems. For this reason, it is preferable to aim for a crude fat content of less than 8% by dry weight, so that there is no need to worry about a deficiency or insufficiency of essential fatty acids, even if the nutrient content fluctuates slightly.

(3) In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention,
The dog food according to (1) or (2) is characterized in that the raw materials do not contain milk or ingredients derived therefrom.

While milk is an excellent food rich in a variety of nutrients, it is also known to contain substances that cause lactose intolerance, a condition in which humans are unable to properly digest the lactose (milk sugar) contained in milk, resulting in symptoms such as indigestion and diarrhea. Not only humans, but almost all mammals tend to develop lactose intolerance as they grow, and dogs are no exception. However, the inventor's observations have revealed that this symptom is particularly pronounced in the target dog breed. The direct cause of lactose intolerance in mammals is a decrease in the activity of lactase, the lactose-digesting enzyme, after weaning. However, in the target dog breed, it appears that the activity of uridyltransferase also decreases. In this case, even galactose, which is produced by the breakdown of lactose, becomes a problem. Depending on the degree of decrease in uridyltransferase activity, this could potentially lead to serious illnesses beyond symptoms such as indigestion and diarrhea.

Therefore, by making dog food that does not contain milk or ingredients derived from milk, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of health problems such as indigestion, diarrhea, and poor stool quality.

If the lactose in milk is the cause, then in principle, removing the lactose from milk or hydrolyzing it with enzymes should make it possible to maintain the good health of the target dog breed, even when using dog food containing milk or its derivatives. However, the former approach is not desirable because it is not easy to completely remove the lactose from milk, and doing so would be costly. Furthermore, there are a certain number of dog owners who feel uneasy about feeding their pet dogs dog food that has undergone numerous artificial processing processes. Similarly, the latter approach is not desirable because it is not easy to completely hydrolyze the lactose in milk, and a significant proportion often remains. Furthermore, if uridyl transferase activity is reduced, the galactose produced by hydrolysis of lactose may cause health problems.

However, it is not difficult to prepare dog food that meets the essential nutrients required by pet dogs without relying on milk, and therefore the dog food of the present invention does not contain milk or ingredients derived from milk.

(4) In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention,
The dog food according to any one of (1) to (3) is characterized by containing probiotics or prebiotics of Lactobacillus sporogenes, Bifidobacterium infantis, or butyric acid bacteria.

Lactobacillus sporogenes is a type of bacteria known as lactic acid bacteria and is said to have strong acid resistance. Bifidobacterium infantis is also a type of bacteria known as lactic acid bacteria, and is said to be overwhelmingly dominant in the large intestines of breastfed infants, demonstrating its strong acid resistance. It is also one of the resistant lactic acid bacteria that is the active ingredient in the antibiotic-resistant lactic acid bacteria preparation Laxpan Powder (Laxpan is a registered trademark of Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.). These bacteria have excellent acid resistance compared to other lactic acid bacteria that primarily metabolize sugars to produce lactic acid, so when ingested orally, they are thought to reach the intestines alive and metabolize sugars, including lactose, to produce lactic acid.

Butyric acid bacteria are a type of bacteria that metabolize dietary fiber and sugars to produce butyric acid. They form spores, which give them excellent acid and salt tolerance. When ingested orally, they reach the intestines alive, where they are thought to metabolize sugars, including lactose, to produce butyric acid.

These probiotic bacteria metabolize lactose and the galactose produced by its breakdown, preventing the development of health problems such as indigestion and diarrhea in target dog breeds. This means that even if small amounts of milk or its derivatives are ingested, it is expected that the development of health problems will be suppressed. This will contribute to increased satisfaction for both owners and pet dogs, for example, by expanding the range of treat options for training and communication purposes, even if the dog's main diet does not contain milk or its derivatives. Furthermore, although research has mainly been conducted on humans, the intake of these probiotics has been reported to have favorable effects such as reduced constipation and serum cholesterol, and alleviated allergy symptoms. Therefore, it is expected that probiotics will also promote the health of pet dogs, which, like humans, are omnivores.

As explained above, lactic acid bacteria is a general term for bacteria that primarily metabolize sugars to produce lactic acid, and there are many different types. Research by the present inventors has shown that adding Lactobacillus sporogenes and Bifidobacterium infantis to pet food produces significant benefits, making these the preferred species among the many available. These species have excellent acid resistance and are likely to reach the intestine alive when orally ingested. However, many lactic acid bacteria are said to be nearly dead by the time they reach the intestine, which is likely one of the reasons why favorable results were obtained with these species in the present inventors' research. Incidentally, Lactobacillus sporogenes, Bifidobacterium infantis, and butyric acid bacteria are all species isolated from the intestines of healthy pet dogs of the target breeds, where they naturally reside and maintain their health. Therefore, it is not surprising that supplementing them with these bacteria can restore or improve the health of the target breeds. The dog food of the present invention preferably contains these probiotics in an amount of 0.01% or more and less than 5% by dry weight. This is because, even in relatively small amounts, probiotics have the effect of favorably changing the intestinal flora in the intestines of pet dogs of the target breed when fed continuously, and the required effect can be achieved at this content.

In the present invention, prebiotics refer to dietary fiber, oligosaccharides, and the like that contribute to promoting the growth of these bacteria. However, because lactose intake by the target dog breed can cause health problems, it is preferable to exclude lactose from the prebiotics used in the present invention. Feeding prebiotics causes lactic acid bacteria and butyric acid bacteria to dominate the intestinal flora in pet dogs' intestines, so similar effects can be expected to be achieved as when probiotics are fed.

(5) In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention,
The dog food according to any one of (1) to (4) is characterized in that it contains 6% or more dry weight of crude fiber.

While dietary fiber is not essential for dogs, it is believed to improve stool quality and act as a type of prebiotic, and various dog foods are commercially available that contain added fiber. Too much fiber is thought to cause constipation and reduce digestibility, preventing the absorption of necessary nutrients. Therefore, most dog foods, excluding those for obese pet dogs, contain approximately 5% crude fiber by dry weight. However, research by the inventors of this application has shown that for pet dogs of the target breed, even if the crude fiber content is set high, problems such as reduced digestibility are unlikely to occur, and stool quality may actually improve. This effect is even more pronounced when probiotics are administered, leading to a more significant improvement in health. Therefore, it is preferable to use dog food with a high crude fiber content of 6% or more by dry weight.

(6) In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention,
The dog food according to any one of (1) to (5) is characterized in that it contains 0.01% by dry weight or more and less than 5% by dry weight of natto.

Natto is a fermented food made by bacterially fermenting steamed or boiled soybeans with natto bacteria. Because soybeans are the raw material, it is rich in protein, making it a suitable protein source for the pet food of the present invention. It is also rich in dietary fiber, which in itself regulates intestinal function and is expected to act as a prebiotic. Furthermore, natto bacteria are a type of Bacillus subtilis that form spores, making them extremely acid- and salt-resistant. When ingested orally, they reach the intestines alive and multiply, promoting the growth of lactic acid bacteria and other bacteria. They are also one of the active ingredients in The Guard Intestinal Regulatory Tablets Alpha Three Plus, an intestinal regulator and antacid health medicine sold by Kowa Company Ltd.

The effects of natto described above, such as improving diarrhea symptoms and stool quality, are similar to the effects of the present invention described in (1) to (5). However, research by the present inventors has found that adding a small amount of natto to the dog foods described in (1) to (5) significantly improves these effects. In addition to the effects of natto itself, the probiotic and prebiotic properties of natto appear to have a synergistic effect that enhances the effects of the dog food of the present invention. Therefore, it is preferable to use dog food containing natto. The natto content is preferably between 0.01% and 5% by dry weight. This range provides the desired effects without causing adverse effects, including loss of palatability.

(7) In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention,
The dog food according to any one of (1) to (6) is characterized in that it contains 0.01% by dry weight or more and less than 5% by dry weight of Cordyceps.

Cordyceps is a general term for mushrooms such as Cordyceps sinensis, Semi-mushroom, Nomushitake, Cordyceps militaris, and Cordyceps sanguinea, whose mycelium parasitizes insects in the soil and produces fruiting bodies above ground. Cordyceps has been shown to have a variety of effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and immunosuppressive properties, and human clinical trials have shown that Semi-mushroom hot water extract has the effect of preventing rough skin.

While the exact mechanism by which Cordyceps exerts its effect of preventing rough skin is unknown, one of the major causes of rough skin and dermatitis is an inflammatory skin reaction due to allergies and other factors, and it is thought that Cordyceps' anti-inflammatory properties suppress this, thereby preventing or curing rough skin. Research by the inventors of this application has confirmed that, similar to the effect of preventing rough skin in humans, Cordyceps also improves the condition of the skin and coat of pet dogs, resulting in effects such as suppressing the occurrence of dandruff and improving the shine of the coat.

The effects of Cordyceps described above, such as improving or ameliorating the condition of the skin and coat, are similar to the effects of the present invention described in (1) to (5). However, research by the present inventors has found that adding a small amount of Cordyceps to the dog food described in (1) to (5) significantly improves these effects. When symptoms such as rough skin occur, an inflammatory reaction often also occurs, and it is believed that healing or improving this through the effects of Cordyceps will also quickly heal or improve the original symptoms, such as rough skin. Therefore, dog food containing Cordyceps is preferable.

However, since Cordyceps does not soften easily even when heated for a long time, making it difficult to eat as is, it can be crushed and added to foods, or an extract of this crushed Cordyceps can be added to foods, resulting in more desirable foods. Aside from differences in texture, there is no difference in the effects of the functional foods of the present invention whether Cordyceps is added as is or crushed Cordyceps or an extract of Cordyceps. The Cordyceps content is preferably 0.01% or more and less than 5% by dry weight. This is because within this range, the required effects are obtained without causing any adverse effects, including palatability.

(8) In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention,
The dog food is described in any one of (1) to (7), characterized in that it is suitable for the following dog breeds: Shiba Inu, Akita Inu, Kishu Inu, Kai Inu, Hokkaido Inu, Shikoku Inu, Japanese Chin, Japanese Spitz, Japanese Terrier, Tosa Fighting Dog, Yakushima Inu, and Kawakami Inu.

Based on a variety of evidence, the dog food of the present invention can improve coat condition and stool quality, thereby enhancing the health of target dog breeds, by keeping the fat intake low, reducing the amount of protein derived from specific ingredients, and preferably reducing or eliminating lactose. However, because it is extremely difficult to fully understand the true phenomena occurring within the bodies of any living organism, not just dogs, it must be acknowledged that the mechanism by which the dog food of the present invention improves the health of target dog breeds involves speculation. Therefore, the present invention seeks to improve the health of pet dogs through an epidemiological approach, regardless of the validity of the speculated mechanism. Furthermore, since it is said that in typical dog breeds with a high lipid metabolism capacity, an excessive proportion of carbohydrates in the total calorie intake poses a risk of developing diabetes and gastrointestinal disorders, it cannot be said with certainty that the dog food of the present invention is suitable for all dog breeds.

According to the applicant's research, it has been confirmed that the health of the target dog breeds, namely Shiba Inu, Akita Inu, Kishu Inu, Kai Inu, Hokkaido Inu, Shikoku Inu, Japanese Chin, Japanese Spitz, Japanese Terrier, Tosa Fighting Dog, Yakushima Inu, and Kawakami Inu, is improved by feeding them the dog food of the present invention, which has a low fat intake rate and a reduced amount of protein derived from specific ingredients. Regardless of the mechanism, it is clear that there is a benefit to the health of the target dog breeds.

Therefore, by making the dog food of the present invention suitable for these target breeds, owners can easily decide to feed their pet dogs dog food with a low proportion of lipids and a reduced amount of protein derived from specific ingredients, thereby contributing to maintaining the health of their pet dogs.

(1) This dog food contains 4% or more and less than 10% dry weight crude fat and does not contain beef, pork, or salmon as ingredients. This has the effect of preventing the occurrence of minor health problems, such as deterioration of the skin and coat condition, poor stool quality, and indigestion, in the target dog breeds, thereby improving or enhancing their health.

(2) By containing 6.5% or more and less than 8% dry weight crude fat, not only are the effects of the present invention more pronounced, but the dog food can be produced without the risk of a deficiency or insufficiency of essential fatty acids, even if the nutrient content of dog food made from natural ingredients fluctuates.

(3) Because the ingredients do not contain milk or ingredients derived from milk, the target dog breeds will not experience health problems such as indigestion, diarrhea, or poor stool quality, which further ensures the benefits of the present invention.

(4) The product contains probiotics or prebiotics from Lactobacillus sporogenes, Bifidobacterium infantis, or butyric acid bacteria, which can suppress the occurrence of health problems even when the target dog breed ingests undesirable sugars such as lactose. This also has the effect of contributing to increased satisfaction for both owners and pet dogs by expanding the range of treat choices available for training and communication purposes.

(5) The crude fiber content of the dog food of the present invention is 6% or more by dry weight, which not only improves stool quality but also enhances the effects of probiotics, making the effects even more pronounced. Probiotics also enhance the effects of probiotics, resulting in a more significant improvement in health.

(6) The inclusion of natto significantly improves the effects of the dog food of the present invention, such as improving diarrhea symptoms and stool quality.

(7) By including Cordyceps, the effects of the dog food of the present invention can be further strengthened, such as healing or improving rough skin and dermatitis, and improving the shine of the coat.

(8) Because the dog food is designed for the target breed, owners can easily decide to feed their pet dog food with a low percentage of lipids and a reduced amount of protein derived from specific ingredients, thereby contributing to the maintenance of the health of pet dogs.

The present invention will now be described in detail based on examples. The following description will focus on various dog foods prepared according to the present invention and comparative examples, the ingredients of which are summarized in Table 1.

As shown in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 in Table 1, two dog foods were prepared: one with a total calorie content of 360 kcal and adjusted to 25% crude protein, 8% crude fat, and 5% crude fiber (Example 1), and another with a content of 25% crude protein, 12% crude fat, and 5% crude fiber (Comparative Example 1). Both Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were prepared using chicken, cod, sweet potato, rice, and canola oil as the main ingredients, and did not include beef, pork, salmon, or dairy products as ingredients.

The dog food of Example 1 and the dog food of Comparative Example 1 were fed to five healthy Shiba Inu dogs, one Akita Inu dog, one Kishu Inu dog, one Kai Inu dog, one Hokkaido Inu dog, one Shikoku Inu dog, and one Japanese Spitz dog for one month each, and then digestibility tests and fecal tests were conducted. As a result, in all dog breeds, better results were obtained in both digestibility tests and fecal tests when the dog food of Example 1 was fed, demonstrating the superiority of the present invention in the target dog breeds.

As shown in Example 2 and Comparative Example 2 in Table 1, dog food (Example 2) was prepared with a total calorie content of 360 kcal and adjusted to 25% crude protein, 8% crude fat, and 6% crude fiber, and dog food (Comparative Example 2) was prepared with a content of 25% crude protein, 8% crude fat, and 4% crude fiber. Both the dog food in Example 2 and the dog food in Comparative Example 2 were prepared using the same ingredients as in Example 1.

The dog food of Example 2 and the dog food of Comparative Example 2 were fed to five healthy Shiba Inu dogs, one Akita dog, one Kishu dog, one Kai dog, one Hokkaido dog, one Shikoku dog, and one Japanese Spitz dog for one month each, after which digestibility tests and fecal tests were conducted. The results showed that the digestibility was nearly identical for the two dog foods in all dog breeds. Generally, the higher the crude fiber content in a dog's diet, the lower the digestibility, but this trend was not observed in the target dog breeds. Furthermore, in the fecal tests, better results were obtained when the dog food of Example 2 was fed in all dog breeds. This demonstrates the superiority of the present invention in the target dog breeds.

As shown in Example 3 and Comparative Example 3 in Table 1, a complete nutritional diet was prepared with a total calorie content of 325 kcal and adjusted to contain 25% crude protein, 7% crude fat, and 6% crude fiber, to which 5% dry weight chicken was added to obtain the dog food of Example 3(a). Similarly, cod, beef, salmon, and unsalted cheese were added to the complete nutritional diet to obtain the dog foods of Example 3(b), Comparative Example 3(a), Comparative Example 3(b), and Comparative Example 3(c), respectively. The complete nutritional diet that served as the base for the dog food of Example 3 and the dog food of Comparative Example 3 was prepared using the same ingredients as in Example 1.

Five healthy Shiba Inu dogs were fed the two dog foods of Example 3 and the three dog foods of Comparative Example 3 for one week each, and then digestibility tests and fecal tests were conducted. As a result, a clear tendency for indigestion was observed when the three dog foods of Comparative Example 3 were fed, and it was found that it is preferable to feed the target dog breed dog food that does not contain beef, salmon, or unsalted cheese. This demonstrates the superiority of the present invention for the target dog breed.

As shown in Example 4 and Comparative Example 4 in Table 1, the same dog food as in Example 1 was prepared, to which N3+ (manufactured by Mushroom Design Studio Co., Ltd.), a supplement made of coated granular powder containing Lactobacillus sporogenes, Bifidobacterium infantis, and butyric acid bacteria, was added to prepare Example 4, while Comparative Example 4 was prepared without adding N3+ (the same as in Example 1).

The dog food of Example 4 and the dog food of Comparative Example 4 were fed to 25 healthy Shiba Inu dogs for one month each, and then a questionnaire survey was conducted with the owners regarding three aspects: stool quality, coat condition, and overall impression of health. As a result, a significantly higher number of respondents reported positive changes in each category after feeding the dog food of Example 4, demonstrating the superiority of the present invention for the target dog breeds.

As shown in Example 5 and Comparative Example 5 in Table 1, the same dog food as in Example 1 was prepared, and 1g each of Cordyceps, natto, Sparassis crispa, and soybeans, calculated as a daily dietary amount, was added to produce Example 5(a), Example 5(b), Comparative Example 5(a), and Comparative Example 5(b), respectively. While Cordyceps and natto are ingredients that produce the effects already explained, Sparassis crispa and soybeans were selected as ingredients that are thought to be relatively similar for the purposes of comparison. Sparassis crispa is similar to Cordyceps in that it is a type of mushroom, and soybeans are an ingredient in natto.

Five healthy Shiba Inu dogs were fed the two dog foods of Example 5 and the two dog foods of Comparative Example 5 for one month each, and then a questionnaire survey was conducted with the owners regarding three aspects: stool quality, coat condition, and overall impression of health. The results showed that in all categories, a significantly higher number of respondents reported positive changes after feeding the dog foods of Example 5(a) and Example 5(b), demonstrating the superiority of the present invention for the target dog breeds.

As explained above, the present invention provides dog food that can improve or ameliorate the health of Japanese dogs and other breeds, including their skin and coat condition, stool quality, and diarrheal symptoms, thereby enhancing their quality of life, and is of great industrial value.

Claims (5)

5% by dry weight or more and less than 10% by dry weight crude fat;
Contains probiotics or prebiotics of Lactobacillus sporogenes, Bifidobacterium infantis, and butyric acid bacteria,
The ingredients do not include beef, pork, salmon, or proteins derived from these, or milk or ingredients derived from these.
A dog food characterized by: 2. The dog food according to claim 1 , containing at least 6% by dry weight of crude fiber. 2. The dog food according to claim 1 , comprising 0.01% by dry weight or more and less than 5% by dry weight of natto. 2. The dog food according to claim 1 , comprising 0.01% by dry weight or more and less than 5% by dry weight of Cordyceps or Cordyceps extract. The dog food according to claim 1, characterized in that it is intended for the following dog breeds: Shiba Inu, Akita Inu, Kishu Inu, Kai Inu, Hokkaido Inu, Shikoku Inu, Chin, Japanese Spitz, Japanese Terrier, Tosa Fighting Dog, Yakushima Inu, and Kawakami Inu .