7

Digestion and
Absorption
The process of digestion simple sugars—glucose,
breaks down the large, galactose, and fructose.
complex molecules of Protein molecules are
many nutrients into their hydrolyzed to single
simplest, most soluble amino acid units and
forms so that absorption some dipeptides. As
and use by the body can dietary nutrients are
take place (Table 7-1). digested, they are
The two basic types of transported through the
action involved in this digestive tract by a
process are mechanical series of contractions of
digestion and chemical the muscular walls of
(or enzymatic) digestion. the gastrointestinal tract.
Mechanical digestion The process of digestion
involves the physical and absorption begins
mastication (chewing), when food first enters
mixing, and movement the mouth and ends with
of food through the the excretion of waste
gastrointestinal tract. products and undigested
Chemical digestion food particles in the
involves splitting the feces (Figures 7-1 and 7-
chemical bonds of 2).
complex nutrients
through enzymatically
catalyzed hydrolysis. Digestion and
The three major types of absorption begin in
foods that require the mouth, with
digestion are fats, the mastication
carbohydrates, and (chewing) of food
proteins. Before and its mixture
absorption takes place, with saliva.
most of the fat in food is Digestion
hydrolyzed to glycerol, continues
free fatty acids (FFAs), throughout the
and some gastrointestinal
monoglycerides and system and ends
diglycerides. Complex with the excretion
carbohydrates are of waste products
broken down to the and undigested
46 Canine and Feline Nutrition
food particles in mouth. These teeth are
the feces. associated with an
increased capacity to
chew and crush food,
which is indicative of
MOUTH
In all species, the mouth TABLE 7-1 DIGESTIVEENDPRODUCTSOF
functions to bring food CARBOHYDRATE,PROTEIN,
into the body, initiate
ANDFAT
physical mastication,
Nutrient Enzymes
and mix the food with
saliva. Saliva is secreted End products
Carbohydrate Amylase Glucose
in response to the sight
and smell of food. It acts Lactase Galactose
as a lubricant to Sucrase Maltase Fructose
facilitate both chewing
and swallowing and also Protein Dipeptidase Dipeptides
serves to solubilize the
Amino peptidase Single amino
dietary components that
stimulate the taste buds Pepsinogen acids
and impart flavor to Pepsin
food. In addition to its Nucleotidase
function in digestion, Nucleosidase
saliva is also important Trypsin
to the dog (and less so in Chymotrypsin
cats) for evaporative Carboxypeptidase
cooling. Compared to Nuclease
many ruminant and Fat Intestinal lipase Glycerol
herbivorous species that Pancreatic lipase Free fatty acids
thoroughly masticate Monoglycerides,
their food, dogs and cats diglycerides
often swallow large 45
boluses of food with
little or no chewing.
However, there are also
important differences
between dogs and cats.
Although domesticated
dogs and cats have the
same number of incisor
and canine teeth (six
incisors and two canines
on both the top and
bottom jaws), the dog’s
mouth contains more
premolars and molars
than does the cat’s
 Digestion and Absorption 47

Figure 7-1 Gastrointestinal system of the dog.
a diet containing a larger
proportion of plant
material. Thus the
dentition of dogs is
suggestive of a more
omnivorous diet than is
the dentition of cats,
which is more typical of
the pattern seen in most
obligate carnivores.1
Although both dogs and
cats are considered to be
“meat-eaters,” the dog
has evolved to consume
a diet that is more
omnivorous in nature
than that of the cat.
48 Canine and Feline Nutrition
Another important flavors). Dogs and cats
role of the mouth is its possess taste systems
importance in taste that are consistent with
perception (gustation). the general pattern seen
Taste refers to the in other carnivorous
sensation that arises species. Early studies
from stimulation of the classified the cat’s taste
taste buds, spherical or system into four general
ovoid clusters of types of units (I, II, IIA,
papillae that are located and IIB).2 A similar and
on the surface of the closely corresponding
tongue. Taste receptor set of units has been
cells are located at the identified in the
tip of each taste bud and domestic dog.3 In
are classified into five general, both dogs and
general receptor types: cats are highly sensitive
sweet (sugars), sour to the tastes of amino
(acids), salty, bitter acids and to various
(alkaloids, peptides), types of organic acids
and umami and nucleotides. All of
(monosodium these are substances
glutamate, disodium found in abundance in
guanylate, “meaty” animal tissues.4 Another

Figure 7-2 Gastrointestinal system of the cat.

similarity between dogs
and cats is that neither
species exhibits a strong
preference for salt
solutions.5 Although
there is evidence that
salty flavors may
enhance the
attractiveness of some
foods for dogs and that
cats show a slight
preference for salt at
relatively high
concentrations, these
species do not
demonstrate the “salt
appetite” that is reported
in other omnivores and
herbivorous species.
Dogs and cats also
have several interesting
differences in taste
receptors. One of the
most dramatic is in their
sensitivity to the taste of
sweet. Dogs, but not
cats, are sensitive to and
show preferences for
sweet foods.6,7 (This is
one of the reasons that
theobromine toxicity, as
a result of chocolate
ingestion, is a significant
risk to pet dogs but not
to pet cats.) Recent
studies have shown that
one of two receptor
genes known to encode
for the sweet-taste
receptors in taste buds is
not expressed in cats.8
This defect may be
responsible for the lack
of response to sweet
flavors observed in the
domestic cat and in
several other felid
Digestion and Absorption 49
species. In lieu of these
receptors, cats possess a
receptor that is highly
sensitive to quinine,
tannic acid, and
alkaloids—flavors that
are thought to be
perceived as bitter.9 In
contrast, dogs are
typically repelled by
most bitter flavors.
There is speculation that
these differences
between dog and cat
taste systems reflect the
cat’s evolutionary
adherence to a more
strictly carnivorous
feeding pattern, leading
to taste preferences for
foods derived from only
animal tissue, and a loss
of the ability to perceive
flavors that are more
typically found in fruits
and vegetables. In
contrast, the dog
evolved from a canid
species that, although
also a predator, was
more omnivorous in
nature. Further, the
process of domestication
selected for a more
varied omnivorous diet
in dogs, as scavenging
gradually replaced
cooperative hunting as a
primary feeding
behavior.10 The impact
that taste and other
special sense
perceptions such as
odors and food textures
have upon food selection
and preferences in dogs
and cats are discussed in
50 Canine and Feline Nutrition
detail in Chapter 19 (see movements of the
pp. 191-193). esophagus. It then
immediately constricts
after food has passed to
Dogs show a
prevent reflux of the
preference for
stomach contents back
sweet foods, while
cats do not.
into the lower
Conversely, cats esophagus.
(but not dogs) are
attracted to flavors
that are typically STOMACH
perceived as bitter. The stomach acts as a
These differences reservoir for the body,
may reflect the allowing food to be
cat’s evolutionary ingested as a meal rather
adherence to a than continuously
more strictly throughout the day. The
carnivorous proximal section of the
feeding pattern stomach is capable of
and the dog’s
expansion to allow
historically more
storage of large meals, a
omnivorous diet.
function that is assumed
to be of greater
importance for dogs,
ESOPHAGUS who tend to eat large
meals at a given time,
Food passes from the than for cats, who prefer
mouth to the stomach to eat multiple small
through the esophagus. meals per day (see
The cells of the mucosal Chapter 19, pp. 192-
lining of the esophagus 193). In addition to its
secrete mucus in storage function, the
response to the presence stomach also initiates
of food, which further the chemical digestion
aids in lubricating food of protein (and possibly
as it passes to the of fat, in the dog), mixes
stomach. As the food food with gastric
reaches the end of the secretions, and regulates
esophagus, the cardiac the entry of food into the
sphincter, a ring of small intestine. The
muscle at the junction gastric glands, which are
between the esophagus located in the mucosal
and stomach, relaxes to lining of the corpus
allow food to enter the portion of the stomach,
stomach. This ring secrete mucus,
relaxes in response to hydrochloric acid (HCl),
the peristaltic and the proteolytic

enzyme pepsinogen. In
dogs, gastric lipase is
secreted throughout the
stomach, but appears to
be much less important
for fat digestion than
pancreatic lipase.11 For
this reason, it is believed
that the majority of fat
digestion still takes
place in the small
intestine. Mucous
secretions protect the
gastric mucosa and also
lubricate the ingested
food. HCl is necessary
to maintain a proper pH
for the occurrence of
enzymatic action. It
functions to slightly alter
the composition of
ingested fat and protein
in preparation for further
action by digestive
enzymes in the small
intestine. Along with
previously formed
pepsin, HCl also
converts pepsinogen to
the enzyme pepsin. This
enzyme initiates
hydrolysis of protein
molecules to smaller
polypeptide units in the
stomach. The activity of
pepsin is highest in the
acidic environment of
the stomach and is
reduced and eventually
inactivated when food
leaves the stomach and
is exposed to the neutral
pH of the small
intestine.12
Both neurological
and hormonal stimuli are
important for the
Digestion and Absorption 51
secretion of HCl and
mucus by the stomach.
Neurological stimuli are
produced in response to
the anticipation of
eating, the sight and
smell of food, and the
presence of food in the
stomach. In addition,
psychological stimuli
such as fear, stress, and
anxiety can affect gastric
secretions and
gastrointestinal
functioning in animals.
The hormone gastrin is
released in response to
the presence of food and
distention of the
stomach. It is produced
by mucosal glands in the
antrum portion of the
stomach. Gastrin
stimulates the secretion
of HCl and mucus and
also increases gastric
motility. Another local
hormone,
enterogastrone, is
produced by glands
located in the duodenal
mucosa. Enterogastrone
is secreted in response to
the presence of fat
entering the duodenum
and counteracts the
activity of gastrin by
inhibiting acid
production and gastric
motility.
Peristaltic movements
of the stomach slowly
mix the ingested food
with gastric secretions,
preparing it for entry
into the small intestine.
The mucosal cells
52 Canine and Feline Nutrition
located in the antral
portion of the stomach
secrete mucus that has a
more alkaline pH and is
low in digestive
enzymes. Thorough
mixing in this portion
results in the production
of a semifluid mass of
food called chyme.
Chyme must pass
through the pyloric
sphincter to enter the
small intestine for
further digestion. Like
the cardiac sphincter, the
pyloric sphincter is a
ring of muscle that is
usually in a constricted
state. This ring relaxes
in response to the strong
peristaltic contractions
that originate in the
stomach and travel
toward the intestine.
While open, the
sphincter allows small
amounts of chyme to
enter the duodenum. The
pyloric sphincter
controls the rate of
passage of food from the
stomach into the small
intestine. The rate of
gastric emptying is
affected by a number of
factors, including the
osmotic pressure,
particle size, and
viscosity of the chyme,
as well as the degree of
gastric acidity and
volume. In general, large
meals have a slower rate
of emptying than small
meals, liquids leave the
stomach faster than
solids, and very high-fat
meals may cause a
decrease in
stomachemptying rate.
Diets that contain
soluble fiber as a fiber
source cause a decreased
rate of stomach
emptying when
compared with diets that
contain insoluble dietary
fiber (see Chapter 2, p.
14, Table 2-1). In
addition, there is
evidence in cats that dry
cat foods leave the
stomach at a slower rate
than canned foods,
except when very small
meals are consumed.13
The shape of the kibble
in dry cat food can also
influence the rate of
gastric emptying, with
triangular-shaped pieces
leaving the stomach at a
slower rate than round
pieces.14
SMALL
INTESTINE
Before reaching the
small intestine, most of
the digestive processes
that occur in dogs and
cats are mechanical in
nature. The chyme that
is delivered through the
pyloric sphincter to the
duodenum is a semifluid
mass made up of food
particles mixed with
gastric secretions.
Carbohydrates and fats
are almost unchanged in

composition, but the
protein in the food has
been partially
hydrolyzed to smaller
polypeptides. Even this
digestion is not crucial,
however, because the
enzymes of the small
intestine are capable of
completely digesting
intact dietary protein.
Therefore the major task
of chemical digestion
and the subsequent
absorption of nutrients
occur in the small
intestine.
Further mechanical
digestion also occurs in
the small intestine
through the coordinated
contractions of its
muscle layers. These
movements thoroughly
mix the food mass with
intestinal secretions,
increase the exposure of
digested food particles
to the mucosal surface,
and slowly propel the
food mass through the
intestinal tract. Constant
sweeping motions of the
intestinal villi that line
the surface of the
mucosa mix the chyme
that is in contact with
the intestinal wall and
increase the efficiency
of absorption of digested
particles. After food has
entered the small
intestine, large quantities
of mucus are secreted by
the Brunner’s glands,
which are located
immediately inside the
Digestion and Absorption 53
duodenum. This mucus
protects the intestinal
mucosa from irritation
and erosion by the
gastric acids that are
entering from the
stomach and further
lubricates the food mass.
Nutrient Digestion
The pancreas and the
glands located in the
duodenal mucosa secrete
enzymes into the
intestinal lumen that
chemically digest fat,
carbohydrate, and
protein. Enzymes
secreted by the intestinal
cells include intestinal
lipase, amino peptidase,
dipeptidase,
nucleotidase,
nucleosidase, and
enterokinase. Intestinal
lipase converts fat to
monoglycerides,
diglycerides, glycerol,
and FFAs. Amino
peptidase breaks the
peptide bond located at
the N-terminal of the
protein molecule, slowly
releasing single amino
acids from the protein
chain. Dipeptidase
breaks the peptide bond
of dipeptides to release
two single amino acid
units. Both nucleosidase
and nucleotidase
hydrolyze
nucleoproteins to their
constituent bases and
pentose sugars. Lastly,
enterokinase converts
inactive trypsinogen, a
proenzyme secreted by
54 Canine and Feline Nutrition
the pancreas, to its
active form (trypsin).
The final digestion of
carbohydrate takes place
at the brush border of
the small intestine. The
cells of the brush border
secrete the enzymes
maltase, lactase, and
sucrase, which
respectively convert the
disaccharides maltose,
lactose, and sucrose to
their constituent
monosaccharides;
glucose, fructose, and
galactose. Protease
enzymes secreted by the
pancreas include trypsin,
chymotrypsin,
carboxypeptidase, and
nuclease. Several of
these are secreted in an
inactive form and are
activated by other
components in the small
intestine after release. In
addition, pancreatic
lipase and amylase are
released into the
intestinal lumen and
respectively function to
hydrolyze dietary fat and
starch into smaller units.
Cholesterol esterase
secreted by the pancreas
catalyzes the formation
of cholesterol esters.
Free cholesterol must be
esterified to fatty acids
to facilitate its
absorption into the body.
The pancreas also
secretes a large volume
of bicarbonate salts into
the small intestine.
These salts function to
neutralize the acidic
chyme and provide the
proper pH for the
digestive enzymes to
function.
Bile is another
important component of
nutrient digestion in the
small intestine. It is
produced by the liver
and stored in the
gallbladder. Bile’s
primary function in the
small intestine is the
emulsification of dietary
fat and the activation of
certain lipases. These
two processes result in
the formation of very
small, water-soluble
globules called micelles.
The formation of
micelles results in an
increased surface area
for the action of lipase
and also arranges lipid
molecules into water-
miscible forms that are
able to gain access to the
aqueous layer covering
the microvilli, ultimately
facilitating absorption of
fat into the body.
Hormonal control of
digestion in the small
intestine involves
several components.
Secretin is produced by
the mucosa of the upper
portion of the duodenum
in response to the entry
of acidic chyme into the
duodenum. It stimulates
the release of
bicarbonate from the
pancreas and controls
the rate of bile flow
 Digestion and Absorption 55
from the gallbladder. approaches the ileal-
Cholecystokinin is also cecal junction. Species
released from this that are typically found
portion of the intestinal in the dog’s small
mucosa in response to intestine include
the presence of fat in the primarily streptococci,
food mass. This lactobacilli, and
hormone stimulates Bifidobacterium spp. in
contraction of the the duodenum and
gallbladder, resulting in jejunum and several
a release of bile into the species of anaerobic
intestinal lumen. bacteria and Escherichia
Cholecystokinin also coli in the ileum.
stimulates secretion of Compared with dogs,
the pancreatic enzymes. healthy cats have
significantly higher
concentrations of
Most of the microbes present in their
important tasks of small intestine, having
chemical digestion duodenal counts as high
and the as 108 CFUs.16 Also,
subsequent species differences are
absorption of found when comparing
nutrients occur in typical bacteria present
the small intestine. in the small intestines of
cats and dogs. The
primary microbes found
Small Intestinal in the duodenum of cats
Microflora include the aerobe
Pasteurella and the
Although of greater
anaerobes Bacteroides,
significance in the large
Eubacteria, and
intestine, the small
Fusobacteria.
intestines of healthy
Microflora present in
dogs and cats also
the small intestine
contain resident
function to prevent
microbial populations.
colonization of
In dogs, bacterial
pathogenic microbes by
numbers in the
competing for available
duodenum and ileum are
nutrients, maintaining an
relatively low, rarely
appropriate lumen
exceeding 104 colony
environment, and
forming units (CFUs)
producing inhibitory
per milliliter (ml).15
compounds. In both
These numbers increase
dogs and cats, small
to approximately 106
intestinal bacteria have
CFU per ml in the distal
also been found to
portion of the ileum as it
56 Canine and Feline Nutrition
produce short-chain monosaccharides,
fatty acids (SCFAs), glycerol, FFAs, and
which may further monoglycerides and
influence the lumen diglycerides. As these
environment and small units are
intestinal health.17,18 In produced, they are
addition, certain absorbed by the body
nutrients and dietary along with dietary
components may vitamins and minerals.
influence small Absorption involves the
intestinal microbial transfer of digested
populations. For nutrients from the
example, intestinal lumen into the
fructooligosaccharides blood or lymphatic
(FOS), a type of system for delivery to
naturally occurring fiber tissues throughout the
that is fermented by body. Like digestion, the
certain intestinal greatest part of
bacteria, have been absorption takes place in
found to enhance the the small intestine.
growth of beneficial The structure of the
bacteria and reduce the inner wall of the small
numbers of potentially intestine is designed to
pathogenic bacteria in provide a high amount
the small intestine of of surface area for the
dogs and cats.19,20 A absorption of nutrients.
similar fiber, The mucosal folds, villi,
mannanoligosaccharides and microvilli of the
(MOS) can also mucosa produce an
beneficially alter small absorptive inner surface
intestinal bacterial area that is
populations, albeit via a approximately 600 times
different mechanism21 that of the outer serosal
(see Chapter 35, pp. layer of the intestine.
467-470 for a complete Villi are fingerlike
discussion). projections that cover
the convoluted folds of
the mucosa. Each
Nutrient Absorption individual villus
In dogs and cats, the contains a vascular
chemical digestion of network of venous and
food is completed in the arterial capillaries and a
small intestine. lymph vessel called a
Digestible protein, lacteal. These function
carbohydrate, and fat are to transport absorbed
hydrolyzed to amino nutrients to either the
acids, dipeptides, portal or lymphatic
 Digestion and Absorption 57
circulations. The surface transport of these
of each villus is covered nutrients into the cells.
with numerous, minute In contrast, active
projections called transport involves the
microvilli. These are transport of nutrient
often collectively molecules across the
referred to as the brush intestinal epithelial
border of the small membrane against a
intestine. The cells concentration gradient.
lining the luminal This transport
surface of the villi are mechanism differs from
highly specialized passive diffusion in that
absorptive cells called more energy is required
enterocytes. These cells to transport materials
have a lifespan of only 2 against a concentration
to 3 days, during which gradient. For example,
they absorb nutrients the most common type
from the lumen of the of active transport
small intestine. Old cells mechanism involves a
are continually sloughed membrane protein
off and excreted in the carrier coupled with the
feces, giving these cells active transport of
one of the highest sodium (the sodium
turnover rates of any pump).
tissue in the body. Although some
Nutrient absorption is passive diffusion is
accomplished in the believed to occur, most
small intestine through simple carbohydrates are
several processes. Some absorbed by the body
small molecules are through an active
absorbed by passive process that is linked to
diffusion according to sodium transport and
the osmotic gradient; for uses a specific carrier
example, electrolytes protein. Single amino
and water molecules acids and some
both flow across the dipeptides and
mucosa in response to tripeptides are also
osmotic pressure. absorbed in this manner.
Facilitated diffusion Small peptides that are
involves the transport of absorbed into the cell
large molecules across are immediately
the cellular membrane in hydrolyzed to single
concurrence with the amino acid units before
pressure gradient. being released into the
Carrier proteins located portal circulation.
in the membranes of the Sugars and amino acids
enterocytes facilitate are absorbed into the
58 Canine and Feline Nutrition
villus capillaries and
from there enter the
portal vein, which
transports these nutrients
to the liver. Absorption
of fat involves the
interaction of the
fatcontaining micelles
with the aqueous layer
surrounding the brush
border. Micelles contain
bile acids,
monoglycerides,
diglycerides, and long-
chain fatty acids.
Because they are water-
miscible, the micelles
are able to travel to the
brush border, where they
are disrupted and their
component fat particles
are absorbed into the
cell. The bile remains in
the lumen and
eventually moves down
the intestine to be
reabsorbed and
circulated back to the
liver. Within the
enterocyte, most of the
fatty acids and glycerol
are resynthesized into
triglycerides, combined
with cholesterol,
phospholipid, and
protein, and released
into the central lacteal as
either chylomicrons or
very–low-density
lipoprotein (VLDL)
transport particles. The
central lacteal drains
into the major lymph
vessels, and the particles
eventually enter the
blood circulation near
the heart.
The liver functions to
further process the
absorbed
monosaccharides and
amino acids that arrive
through the portal
circulation. Some
monosaccharides are
converted to the storage
carbohydrate form
glycogen, and a certain
quantity of glucose is
secreted directly into the
circulation. Some amino
acids are released into
the bloodstream, where
they circulate to tissues
for absorption into cells.
Excess amino acids are
either converted to other
nonessential amino acids
or metabolized by the
liver for energy.
Most minerals are
absorbed by the body in
an ionized form. The
water-soluble vitamins
are transported by
passive diffusion, but
some may be absorbed
by an active process
when the diet contains
low levels. Vitamin B12
is unique in its
requirement for an
intrinsic factor for
proper absorption (see
Chapter 5, p. 34). Fat-
soluble vitamins are
made soluble by
combination with bile
salts and are then
absorbed by passive
diffusion through the
lipid phase of the
mucosal cell membrane.
In general, when there is

normal fat absorption,
there is normal fat-
soluble vitamin
absorption.
LARGE
INTESTINE
(COLON)
The contents of the
small intestine enter the
large intestine through
the ileocecal valve. The
cecum is an intestinal
pocket located next to
the junction of the colon
and the small intestine.
This portion of the
intestine varies in size
and functional capacity
among species of
mammals. The cecum of
nonruminant herbivores
such as the horse and
rabbit is relatively large
and has a highly
enhanced digestive
capacity. Likewise, both
the cecum and large
intestine of the
omnivorous pig are
enlarged when
compared with those of
the carnivorous species.
Microbial digestion of
dietary fiber in the
cecum and colon of
nonruminant herbivores
contributes significantly
to the nutrient intake and
balance of these
animals. In comparison,
carnivorous species such
as the cat and mink have
a vestigial cecum, and
Digestion and Absorption 59
the length of their large
intestine is relatively
short. Relative to body
size, the dog’s cecum is
not as large as the pig’s,
but it is somewhat larger
than the cat’s. This
observation is consistent
with the fact that the dog
has adapted to
consuming a diet that is
more omnivorous in
nature than that of the
cat. The extent to which
bacterial digestion of
dietary fiber in the
cecum and colon
contributes to energy
balance in these species
is small compared to the
contribution for
nonruminant herbivore
species. However,
SCFAs produced by
bacterial fermentation of
fiber are an important
energy source for
colonocytes and
contribute to intestinal
health.22,23 In addition,
adherent bacteria in the
large intestine influence
function of the intestinal
mucosa and help to
regulate the enteric
immune system22 (see
Section 5, pp. 465-467
for a complete
discussion of the role of
colonic bacteria in
intestinal health).
A chief function of
the large intestine in
dogs and cats is the
absorption of water and
certain electrolytes.
Unlike the small
60 Canine and Feline Nutrition
intestine, the large References
intestine has no villi and digestion of these
therefore has a lower materials produces
capacity for absorption. various gases, SCFAs,
Although it is able to and other byproducts.
efficiently absorb water When protein reaches
and electrolytes, it has the large intestine in an
no mechanisms for undigested state,
active transport. Along bacterial degradation
with a large volume of results in the production
water, sodium is of the amines indole and
absorbed into the body skatole. In addition,
from the large intestine. hydrogen sulfide gas is
As mentioned produced from the
previously, the bacterial sulfur-containing amino
colonies of the colon are acids of undigested or
capable of digesting poorly digested protein.
some of the indigestible Hydrogen sulfide gas,
fiber and other nutrients indole, and skatole
in the diet that have impart strong odors to
escaped digestion in the fecal matter and
small intestine. The intestinal gas. Certain
products of this bacterial types of carbohydrates
digestion contribute to found in legumes such
the characteristic smell as soybeans are resistant
and color of canine and to digestion by the
feline feces. Undigested endogenous enzymes of
food residues, sloughed the small intestine.
cells, bacteria, and These carbohydrates
unabsorbed endogenous reach the colon and are
secretions make up the metabolized by bacteria,
fecal matter that with a resultant
eventually reaches the production of intestinal
rectum and is excreted gas (flatulence).
from the body. Hydrogen, carbon
Fecal characteristics dioxide, and methane
in dogs and cats can be gases are produced from
significantly affected by the bacterial digestion of
the quantity and type of carbohydrates. A similar
indigestible matter that effect occurs with
is present in the animal’s certain types of fiber.
diet. Bacterial While nonfermentable
fibers resist digestion in
the small intestine and
fermentation in the large
intestine, fermentable
fibers are used as an
 Digestion and Absorption 61
energy source by the colons of individual
intestinal bacteria, animals.
resulting in the
production of gases and
SCFAs. The degree to In contrast to the
which flatulence and small intestine, a
strong fecal odors occur primary function of
in dogs and cats that are the large intestine
fed poorly digestible (colon) in dogs and
materials varies with the cats is the
amounts and types of absorption of
materials fed and the water and certain
intestinal flora present in electrolytes,
especially sodium.

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