Abstract: [Objective] To assess the effects of dietary supplementation of Spirulina platensis powder and yam powder on weight gain, apparent nutrient digestibility and fecal quality of puppies. [Method]A total of 14 seven-month-old poodle puppies were randomly assigned into a control group and an experimental group. The control group （n=7） was fed with a basal diet, and the experimental group （n=7） was fed with the basal diet supplemented with 0.5% Spirulina platensis powder and 1.0% yam powder. The experiment lasted for 28 days. The indicators of weight gain, apparent nutrient digestibility and fecal quality of the puppies in the two groups were determined and statistically analyzed. [Result]Comparing with the beginning of the experiment, the weights of the puppies in control group and experimental group were increased by 15% and 18.34% at the end of the experiment, respectively; the puppies in experimental group had significantly （P<0.05） higher weights at the end of the experiment compared with control group; the average daily gain of the puppies in experimental group was 26.67% higher than those in control group （P>0.05）. While the apparent nutrient digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and crude fat of the puppies in experimental group were elevated by 1.60%, 1.02%, 1.00% and 0.24% compared with control group, respectively, no significant differences （P>0.05） were observed. There were no significant differences （P>0.05） in fecal score and original moisture content between control group and experimental group. [Conclusion] Dietary supplementation of 0.5% Spirulina platensis powder and 1.0% yam powder promotes the growth of puppies, but has no significant effects on apparent nutrient digestibility and fecal quality.

Key words: Spirulina platensis powder, yam powder, puppies, apparent nutrient digestibility, fecal quality