Mushroom complex (MC) is a blend of mushroom water extracts including β-glucans and bovine colostrum that may promote immune function and gut health. However, these potential benefits have not been tested in cats. In this study, 20 healthy adult cats were fed a kibble diet for 15 wk. After a 3-wk baseline phase eating the diet alone, cats were supplemented with a placebo or MC for 12 wk. Serum chemistry, immune markers, and fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites were measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 wk on treatment. Cats tolerated both treatments with no adverse health effects observed. Fecal characteristics were not altered, but fecal ammonia, isovalerate, and total branched-chain fatty acids were greater in cats fed MC. Bacterial alpha diversity measures were reduced over time but to a lesser extent in controls. Bacterial beta diversity highlighted a significant treatment-time interaction. The relative abundances of four bacterial genera were affected by treatment, and over 30 bacterial genera were affected by time. Few serum chemistry markers were altered, but triglyceride concentrations were lower in cats fed MC. These results suggest that MC supplementation slightly modifies the fecal microbiota and metabolite concentrations of cats.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.