Satiety reduces adiposity in dogs

The study reported here investigated the effect of satiety on body composition. Twelve beagle dogs were fed either a low-fiber (< 2%) or a high-fiber (approximately 20%) food that had previously been shown to cause differences in satiety. After 3 weeks the groups were fed the opposite food. Dogs were fed all they would voluntarily consume during one 45-minute meal per day. Each dog served as its own control. Although dogs consumed approximately equal amounts of food on a weight basis, they voluntarily ate significantly fewer calories (27% less) when fed the high-fiber food. Dogs lost four times as much fat mass when fed the high-fiber food versus when fed the low-fiber food. Therefore this study indicates that foods enhanced with fiber increase satiety and reduce adiposity.