PSVIII-20 A Premium Dry Cat Food Enhances Digestibility and Gut Health in Cats Compared with a Grocery Dry Cat Food

Abstract

Abstract As the awareness of pet owners to the benefits of nutrition on pet health and wellness increases, pet owners are looking for foods that include high-quality ingredients and functional benefits. However, little research is available on cats comparing health measures when feeding premium foods vs basic cat foods. This study aimed to compare the effects of feeding a premium cat kibble diet (Blue Buffalo Tastefuls; BB) and a basic grocery cat kibble diet on digestibility, blood biomarkers, and fecal microbiome in healthy adult cats. Sixty cats (mean BW = 4.2 ± 0.8 kg; mean age = 4.3 ± 3.2 yr) were randomly selected to consume BB (n = 30) or grocery diet (n = 30) for 180 days. On days 0, 90, and 180, fresh fecal samples were collected for fecal microbiome and dysbiosis index analysis and blood samples were collected for measurements of complete blood count, serum chemistry, and serum biomarkers. A separate 10-day digestibility study was conducted using 14 cats (BB n = 7, grocery diet n = 7; mean BW = 3.8 ± 0.7 kg). Total fecal samples were collected from day 6 to day 10 for nutrient digestibility analysis. Protocols were approved by the facility’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee before the study. All data were analyzed using the Mixed Models procedure of SAS. Fecal scores were not changed (P > 0.05) by diet. Greater (P < 0.05) digestibility of protein, fat, and energy were observed in cats consuming BB. Although all blood cell count and blood chemistry values were within the reference ranges, measurements such as total protein, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and triglycerides were significantly different (P < 0.05) between diet groups. Greater (P < 0.05) insulin-like growth factor-1 was observed in cats fed BB. Cats consuming BB had a lower (P < 0.05) dysbiosis index (less dysbiotic microbiome) and a greater (P < 0.05) bacterial species richness. Relative abundances of 28 bacterial genera were altered (P < 0.05) by the diets, with greater abundances of Faecalibacterium, Megamonas, and Ruminococcus observed in cats fed BB. The data suggest that a premium dry cat food may elicit beneficial effects on digestibility and the GI microbiome of healthy adult cats.