Effects of a high-protein, high-fiber diet rich in antioxidants and l-carnitine on body weight, body composition, metabolic status, and physical activity levels of cats after spay surgery.

ABSTRACT: Spay and neuter surgeries are useful in controlling pet populations, but increase obesity risk due to increased appetite, decreased metabolic rate, and decreased energy expenditure. Dietary management may help limit post-spay weight gain, but few research studies have been conducted in cats. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a high-protein, high-fiber diet (HPHF) compared to a moderate-protein, moderate-fiber diet (MPMF) in female cats following spay surgery. Twenty healthy female cats (9.5 ± 0.1 mo) were used. After a 4-wk baseline phase with cats fed MPMF to maintain body weight (BW), 16 cats were spayed and allotted to MPMF (n = 8) or HPHF (n = 8), with the remaining cats being sham-operated and fed MPMF (n = 4). Cats were fed to maintain BW for 12 wk

SUBMITTER: Iwazaki E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9047173 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature