24 Labrador retriever obese dogs of more than 3 years age were put in four different treatment groups. The percentage of crude protein and crude fibre of T1, T2, T3 and T4 diet were 15.74 % and 4.09 %; 21.90 % and 11.28 %; 21.73 % and 8.23 %; 15.72 % and 3.99 %, respectively. Including high fibre in the diet affects the stool characeristics. This study aimed to find out the safe level of fibre to promote weight loss without affecting the stool characteristics. The stool score was lowest in dogs in T2 (2.16 ± 0.16 to 2.83 ± 0.16). The frequency of defecation had no significant difference among the treatments. The frequency of defecation was higher in T2 with mean frequency of 1.66 ± 0.21 to 1.83 ± 0.16, when compared with other groups. The pH of the stools was significantly different between the treatments. Higher acidic pH was noticed in T2 (4.91 ± 0.20 to 5.25 ± 0.17) followed by T3, T4 and T1.The present study showed no incidence of diarrhea throughout the trial period in any group

High fibre, Stool score, dogs, defecation frequency, pH, Obesity

The stool scores and pH were found to be significantly decreased in T2 with no incidence of diarrhea with this level of fibre till the end of the trial. This study concludes that fibre level of up to 11.2 % can be safely included in the obese dog’s diet without affecting its overall health status.

A. Abinaya, Pasupathi. Karu, R. Karunakaran, Cecilia Joseph and R. Eazhisai (2022). Stool Characteristics of Obese Dogs Fed on Therapeutic Diets with Altered Levels of Protein and Fibre. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(2): 461-463.