Comparison of circulating metabolite concentrations in dogs and cats when allowed to freely choose macronutrient intake.

ABSTRACT: Food intake changes circulating metabolite concentrations. Thus, a comparison of circulating metabolites between dogs and cats is necessarily confounded by the composition of foods offered. The objective of this study was to determine differences between dogs and cats when given the opportunity to choose their own macronutrient intake. Four experimental foods with similar palatability, but varying in macronutrient content were prepared for dogs, and four for cats. Foods were available to dogs (n=17) for food intake once a day and to cats (n=27) at all times. Food 1 was high protein; Food 2 was high fat; Food 3 was high carbohydrates and Food 4 was balanced for macronutrients. By choosing a combination of foods, each animal could individually set its own macronutrient intake.

SUBMITTER: Hall JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6262854 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature