Apparent total-tract digestibility of protein, fat and dry matter — using marker-based and less invasive designs where they answer the question.
Digestibility shows how much of a food’s nutrients a pet can actually use. It differs between protein sources, processing conditions and recipes, and it underpins claims about stool quality, sensitive digestion and ingredient value.
We design digestibility studies with partner panels, using marker-based collection and in vitro screening as 3Rs alternatives where they answer the question. Every study is approved by an independent ethics committee and analysed by our nutrition team.
Start your project with Guires PNLDesigns follow published methods and are chosen to answer your question with the fewest animals.
Protein, fat, dry matter and energy digestibility from intake and faecal output.
Indigestible markers that reduce the need for total faecal collection.
Two or more protein or fibre sources compared in the same base recipe.
Faecal scoring on a published scale alongside digestibility.
Simulated digestion in our bioscience lab to shortlist recipes before animal work.
The effect of extrusion or retort conditions on digestibility.
Designs are chosen to minimise animal numbers and invasiveness.
Heat can reduce the usable fraction of proteins such as lysine.
Panel size and adaptation period decide whether differences can be detected.
Digestive claims must match what the study actually measured.
Ingredient, recipe or process comparison.
Optional in vitro digestion first.
Marker, panel size and adaptation period.
Independent ethics committee approval.
Collection, lab analysis and statistics.
Digestibility values and interpretation.
Peer-reviewed findings that shape how we design and interpret this work.
In-home digestibility testing needed 9–43 dogs with one day of adaptation and one day of collection; titanium dioxide markers agreed closely with total collection.
We consider marker-based and in vitro methods as 3Rs alternatives where they answer the question.
In moist canned cat foods, on average 48.6% of lysine had undergone early Maillard reaction.
Processing losses are allowed for in the formula and checked on pilot product.
In 31 dogs with chronic large-bowel diarrhoea, stool scores rose from 2.6 to 3.8 within one day on a fibre-enriched food; 68% had complete resolution by day 56.
We build fibre blends to target stool quality and measure it on a published scale.
Each application has its own page with the evidence, the actives and the claim boundaries we work within.
Firm stools, comfortable digestion and a balanced gut microbiome.
Lighter, more satisfying diets that help pets reach and keep a healthy weight.
A healthy skin barrier and a glossy coat, driven by the right balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, protein quality and key micronutrients.
Nutrition that helps the immune system work as it should.
Every ingredient we choose for digestibility studies is assessed for nutrient contribution, digestibility, processing behaviour, palatability and the rules in your market — and sourced to your specification.
Regulation updates, the latest research, recalls and market trends that shape digestibility studies — written by our formulation, testing and regulatory teams.
No. We report digestibility; energy for labels is calculated from analysed values.
Yes, in part. Simulated digestion in our bioscience lab can shortlist recipes before an animal study.
Yes. Studies use voluntary feeding and faecal collection, designed around the 3Rs.
Clients in the USA, UK and UAE on working with Guires PNL. Names are withheld at clients’ request.
“Their palatability trials revealed how dogs responded to our recipe before we committed to launch. We entered the market backed by real feeding data rather than assumptions.”
“The feeding trials measured preference and intake and benchmarked our formula against competitor products. Those findings shaped our final recipe decisions.”
“Seeing how cats reacted to our recipe let us refine it ahead of production rather than after, saving time, cost and guesswork.”
Tell us your product, your question and your market — our scientists will come back with a study design and next steps.
Every Guires PNL product is formulated to comply with the FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines and the AAFCO Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles. Neither body issues certificates to manufacturers, so compliance is verified independently against their published standards — and every product comes with a complete documentation package for regulatory submissions in the EU, US, Australia and Asian markets.
How we verify compliance →