Review scope

This summary is based on the published abstract. We have not appraised the full methods, tables or supplementary material. Details absent from the abstract remain unverified.

Question and design

12 adult Miniature Schnauzers in a balanced Latin square; 21-day periods. Biscuits estimated to provide 2.5 or 5 g resistant starch daily, within the energy allowance. Comparator: No biscuits; the same base food.

What was measured?

Digestibility, faecal fermentation products and microbial populations.

Main findings

The higher amount reduced fat digestibility. Other macronutrient digestibilities and measured fermentation products and microbes were unchanged.

Study strengths

Controlled base diet and repeated within-dog comparisons.

Limitations

Small single-breed sample; short exposure. Biscuit delivery and estimated amounts limit generalisation.

Researchers’ conclusion

The authors suggested the amounts may have been insufficient to alter gut-health measurements.

Evidence.pet interpretation

A largely null result at these intakes does not establish either universal benefit or ineffectiveness of resistant starch.

Funding and conflicts

Not verified from the abstract; full declarations have not been reviewed.

Source and review date

Beloshapka AN et al. Resistant-starch feeding study in healthy adult dogs. Journal of Nutritional Science. 2014;3:e38. Title shortened; DOI identifies the paper.

Read the primary source · DOI record

STU-029. Reviewed 25 September 2026. Next review 25 December 2026.