# The Safety of FeedKind Pet® (Methylococcus capsulatus, Bath) as a Cultured Protein Source in the Diet of Adult Dogs and Its Effect on Feed Digestibility, Fecal Microbiome, and Health Status

## TL;DR

This study shows that feeding adult dogs a diet with up to 8% cultured protein from Methylococcus capsulatus is safe and does not harm their health or digestion.

## Contribution

The study provides the first long-term safety and digestibility assessment of FeedKind Pet® cultured protein in adult dogs.

## Key findings

- Dogs fed up to 8% cultured protein maintained normal weight, blood parameters, and health.
- The fecal microbiome showed increased alpha diversity during the protein feeding phase.
- Apparent total gastrointestinal tract digestibility of organic matter, protein, and energy exceeded 80%.

## Abstract

Thirty-two beagles were fed diets containing up to 8% cultured protein for six months, then fed control diets for a further two months. The safety of the protein was assessed by measuring blood and urine parameters as well as the growth of the dogs. Additionally, the intestinal microbiome was shown to be positively influenced by the cultured protein. The diets were well tolerated by the dogs with no reduction in feed intake and were readily digested, providing all of the essential nutrients required. The study showed that FeedKind Pet® is safe as a protein source for dogs and can be included at up to 8% of the total diet with no harmful side effects.

Thirty-two healthy adult dogs (16 males and 16 females) were fed control kibble diets for one month, followed by six months (Weeks 0 to 25) of diets containing either 0, 4, 6, or 8% cultured protein derived from Methylococcus capsulatus (FeedKind Pet®, FK), then they were fed control diets (0% FK) for a further two months (Weeks 25 to 34). The diets were isonitrogenous, isolipidic, and isocaloric and stage- and age-specific. The dogs were assessed for overall health, weight gain, and body condition score (BCS). Blood samples were collected 1 week prior to randomization, during acclimation, then in Weeks 5, 13, 25, 30, 32, and 34 for hematology, coagulation, and clinical chemistry; urine was collected according to the same time schedule for urinalysis. Feces were assessed for parasite load and presence of occult blood during Weeks 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, and 25. Fecal samples were collected during acclimation and Weeks 25 and 34 for fecal microbiome analysis and in Week 25 for apparent total gastrointestinal tract digestibility (ATTD). All dogs maintained a healthy weight and BCS throughout the study. Hematology parameters were within normal limits at the end of each phase of the study. With the exception of a decrease in serum phosphorus level and in urine pH in all groups at the end of the study, urine and serum chemistry results were within normal limits at the end of each phase. ATTD values for organic matter, protein, and energy exceeded 80%, whilst digestibility values for copper were around 20%. The fecal microbiome was dominated by Firmicutes. Alpha diversity increased during the safety phase before returning to baseline levels during the washout phase. The dominant genera in all groups were Megamonas, Peptoclostridium, Turicibacter, Catenibacterium, Fusobacterium, Romboutsia, and Blautia. The study has shown that the inclusion of cultured protein at up to 8% of the total diet of adult dogs can provide sufficient nutrition and is safe with no long-term effects on a range of health parameters.