Featured Articles

Interpretive Summary: 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 

By: Eiji Iwazaki, Anne H. Lee, Alissa M. Kruis, Thunyaporn Phungviwatnikul, Helen Valentine, Lídia S. Arend, Robert V. Knox, Maria R. C. de Godoy, and Kelly S. Swanson

Spay surgery helps control pet populations, but increases obesity due to increased appetite, decreased metabolic rate, and decreased energy expenditure. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of high-protein, high-fiber diet (HPHF), and moderate-protein, moderate-fiber diets (MPMF) in female cats following spay surgery. Of the 20 cats used, 16 were spayed and fed MPMF (n = 8) or HPHF (n = 8) and four were shamoperated and fed MPMF. Cats were fed to maintain body weight (BW) for 12 wk and then allowed to overeat for 12 wk. Food intake, BW, body condition scores (BCS), back fat thickness, body composition, feline body mass index, body fat percentage estimates, serum metabolites, and physical activity levels were measured. Over the first 12 wk, caloric intake was reduced at higher amounts in spayed versus sham cats. BW, BCS, body fat percentage, and physical activity levels were altered over time. Our results demonstrate that the diets tested had minor effects, but spaying affected cat food intake, BW, metabolism, and physical activity.

Read the full article on the Journal of Animal Science