PSIII-41 Fecal characteristics and metabolite concentrations of cats fed a high-protein, high-fiber diet after spay surgery

Abstract

Abstract Dietary fiber and protein concentrations can impact large intestinal fermentation and metabolite concentrations, consequently affecting gastrointestinal health and fecal characteristics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary intervention on fecal characteristics and metabolite concentrations of cats after spay surgery. Twenty healthy female cats (mean age=9.5±0.1 months) were used in a 29-wk longitudinal study. After a 5-wk baseline phase being fed a moderate-protein, moderate-fiber (MPMF) diet, sixteen cats were spayed and randomly allotted to the MPMF diet (n = 8) or a high-protein, high-fiber (HPHF) diet (n = 8) and fed for 24wk. Remaining cats (n = 4) were sham-operated and fed the MPMF diet. Cats were fed to maintain BW the first 12wk, then fed up to twice that amount for another 12wk to measure changes in fecal characteristics and metabolite concentrations when allowed to overeat. Fresh fecal samples were collected before surgery (wk0) and 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24wk after surgery for fecal score, pH and metabolite measurements. Fecal pH was higher (P < 0.01) in HPHF cats than MPMF and sham cats. Sham cats generally had greater (P < 0.05) fecal total SCFA, acetate, butyrate, total BCFA and phenol concentrations than HPHF cats. HPHF cats also had lower (P < 0.01) fecal valerate, but higher (P < 0.01) fecal indole concentrations than MPMF and sham cats. Significant time effects (P < 0.01) were observed for fecal score, pH, acetate, butyrate, propionate, total SCFA, isobutyrate, isovalerate, valerate, total BCFA, 4-ethylphenol, indole, total indole and phenols, and ammonia. Some treatment*time effects (P < 0.05) were observed for fecal pH, isovalerate, ammonia, butyrate, valerate, BCFA, and indole. Our results suggest that dietary protein and fiber concentrations affect the fecal characteristics and metabolite profiles of cats. Future studies should evaluate the microbiota affected to determine which groups are responsible and what these changes mean to feline health.