EFFECT OF COMMERCIAL DIETS ON THE NUTRITIONAL AND METABOLIC STATUS OF NEUTERED CATS

Abstract

Rational feeding of neutered cats is an important factor in maintaining optimal body condition, metabolic health and overall animal welfare. After gonadectomy, cats may develop changes in energy metabolism, appetite regulation and physical activity, which increase the risk of body weight gain when the diet does not correspond to altered physiological requirements. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of commercial diets from different market segments on the nutritional and metabolic status of neutered domestic cats.
The study was conducted on 10 clinically healthy neutered cats aged 2–6 years. The animals were divided into two groups of five cats each according to the diet used. Cats in group I received Purina Friskies Sterilized Cats dry food, whereas cats in group II were fed Club 4 Paws Sterilised dry food. The observation period lasted 90 days.
Body weight, body condition score (BCS), clinical welfare indicators, including coat condition, skin, visible mucous membranes and activity level, as well as serum biochemical parameters were assessed. After 90 days, cats in group I showed an increase in mean body weight from 4.3±0.4 to 5.1±0.5 kg, corresponding to an 18.6% gain. In 80% of animals in this group, BCS increased to 7–8 points. In group II, body weight gain was less pronounced, increasing from 4.2±0.3 to 4.4±0.3 kg (+4.8%), while 80% of cats maintained an optimal BCS of 5 points. Cats fed Club 4 Paws Sterilised maintained more stable clinical welfare indicators throughout the study, including a shiny coat, elastic skin and unchanged activity level. In group I, decreased coat shine (60%), mild dandruff (40%) and reduced play activity (60%) were observed more frequently. Serum biochemical parameters in both groups remained within physiological ranges. However, cats in group I showed a tendency toward higher lipid metabolism parameters, including cholesterol (5.4±0.6 mmol/L) and triacylglycerols (1.25±0.18 mmol/L), compared with group II (4.3±0.5 and 0.92±0.15 mmol/L, respectively). These changes were consistent with greater body weight gain and increased BCS. The results indicate that evaluation of diets for neutered cats should be based on a comprehensive approach including not only body weight control, but also BCS, clinical welfare indicators and metabolic profile assessment. The practical value of the obtained results lies in the possibility of using a comprehensive assessment of nutritional status for selecting an optimal diet for neutered cats in veterinary practice.