Commercial Cat Food Research Articles

Different artificial feeding strategies shape the diverse gut microbial communities and functions with the potential risk of pathogen transmission to captive Asian small-clawed otters (Aonyx cinereus).

Captive otters fed with different diets possessed distinct gut microbial communities and functions, with the enrichment of several pathogens and multiple resistance genes in their gut microbiota. The current artificial feeding strategies had the possibility to accelerate the colonization and proliferation of various pathogenic bacteria in the intestines of otters and the spread of resistance genes, increasing the risk of diseases. In addition, supplementation with commercial cat food had benefits for otters' intestinal fermentation and the metabolism of gut microbiota.

Analysis of chicken and pig DNA content in commercial dry foods for adult cats.

Among pets, cats are the most popular in Europe. Despite the fact, the interest in the safety and quality of their food is much lower compared to the interest of caregivers in the nutrition of dogs. In this research, 27 commercial cat foods were analyzed for mislabeled component composition. Cat foods were divided into a control group, a group of fish foods and a group of other foods with alternative sources of animal protein. Chicken and pig DNA detection was performed using real-time PCR. In this research, 100% of the cat foods contained chicken DNA and 96% of the foods - pig DNA, despite the lack of declaration of these ingredients on the product label. The results indicate that cat food appear to be mislabeled to an even greater extent than dog food. Moreover, manufacturers' declarations in terms of ingredient composition do not reflect the actual composition of commercial products available on the market and intended for everyday feeding of animals. Mislabeling of these products also poses a risk for animals suffering from food allergies.

Antecedents of Purchase Behavior in Commercial Cat Foods

Antecedents of Purchase Behavior in Commercial Cat Foods

Macronutrients Comparison of Commercial Cat Foods in Malaysia

Macronutrients Comparison of Commercial Cat Foods in Malaysia

Validation of an Analytical Method by Headspace Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization and Evaluation of Matrix Effect of Volatile Compounds in Cat Food

This study describes the validation of a headspace gas chromatography with flame ionization (HS-GC-FID) method for the determination of propanal, pentanal, hexanal, octanal, and trans-2-nonenal originated by lipid oxidation from cat food samples, as well as the evaluation of the matrix effect in the results. This method was applied to the analysis of commercial cat food and proved to be suitable for the determination of these volatile compounds in different samples. Mean recoveries between 88 and 109% were obtained and repeatability expressed as relative standard deviation was always lower than 6.95%. The intra- and inter-assay precisions ranged from 0.44 to 20.88% and from 0.45 to 20.52%, respectively. In addition, the matrix effect of cat food samples was determined by comparing the slopes of the standard addition method, and the external calibration curve and its influences were verified. These results highlight the high potential of this method, which allows the determination of lipid oxidation products in cat food samples directly, without requiring prior sample preparation techniques.

Occurrence of Histamine in Commercial Cat Foods under Different Storage Conditions.

In fish-based foods, one of the effects of inappropriate storage can be the formation of biogenic amines. Among these, histamine is considered one of the most toxic. The purpose of the present study is to assess the occurrence of histamine in fish-based pet foods, and to evaluate the changes in histamine content during storage at different temperatures. For the analysis, an LC-MS/MS method was used. Fifty-eight pet foods were purchased, and an aliquot of them was analyzed just after opening the packages. Histamine was detected in 12 samples and concentrations ranged from 1.5 to 30.1 mg/kg. The remaining of each positive sample was divided into seven subsamples. One of them was used as a control sample and kept at −20 °C, while the other six were exposed to different environmental conditions. Samples exposed to room temperature showed no significant changes in histamine levels, while samples exposed to high temperatures showed significant increases in histamine content. Finally, samples exposed to refrigerator temperature showed a slight decrease in histamine levels. Under the experimental conditions, the EU limit of 100 mg/kg established for fishery products was never exceeded. These results seem to indicate a low risk of histamine intoxication in cats fed fish-based pet food.

Effects of extrusion specific mechanical energy and dryer conditions on the survival of Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 for commercial pet food applications

In companion animal nutrition, probiotics (direct-fed microbials) are considered functional ingredients that benefit the gastrointestinal and immune health of the host. Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 is a spore-forming bacterial strain that has been reported to survive environmental stresses, heat processing, and extreme-pH conditions. Extrusion cooking is the most widely used method to produce commercial dog and cat foods, however the thermal and mechanical forces exerted during extrusion and drying present a challenge for guaranteeing the viability of live microorganisms after processing. Two experiments were conducted to determine the reduction in viability of the microorganism at graded flour inoculation levels (0, 6.2, 6.7, and 7.3 log10 colony forming units per gram (CFU/g)) subjected to extrusion cooking under varied levels of specific mechanical energy that were achieved by adjusting the extruder water input (10, 12, and 20 kg/h), and extruder screw speed (400, 500, and 600 rpm). A second experiment was conducted to determine the survival of the microorganism subjected to three dryer conditions (49 °C for 10 min; 107 °C for 16 min; and 66 °C for 46 min). Enumeration of bacterial colony forming units was performed on pre- and post-processing samples. Extrusion data were analyzed using a general linear model using the GLIMMIX procedure, and dryer data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with one-way analysis of variance (SAS v. 9.4, SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC) with significance accepted at a level of 95% confidence (α = 0.05). The results indicate that the low SME extrusion conditions (in-barrel moisture of 35%, extruder screw speed of 400 rpm, and specific mechanical energy of 129 kJ/kg) resulted in the greatest retention (P < 0.05), with a mean log10 reduction of viable spores of 0.44, 2.15, and 2.67 for the low, moderate, and severe extrusion conditions, respectively. Viability of the spores through three dryer conditions were observed to be similar across all treatments. This study also demonstrated that the greatest losses of viability occurred during extrusion rather than drying, and that in-barrel moisture and extruder screw speed are two operational parameters may be modified for the optimization of Bacillus coagulans survival in extruded foods.

Determination of acrylamide using the immuno-enzymatic method in commercial dog and cat foods

Pet animals raised by humans do not have the chance to choose their own food. Therefore, mistakes made by humans in feeding dogs and cats will adversely affect the health of the animal. There are applications at high temperatures at various stages during the production of dog and cat foods. It is predicted that acrylamide (AA) can be formed as a result of a possible Maillard reaction since the cat and dog foods contain starch in its structure. The aim of this study is to determine the AA residue immuno-enzymatically in dry cat and dog feeds from different companies available on the market. Thus, possible threats to cat and dog health, if any, will be determined, and the applicability of the method will be tested by determining the AA level in foods for the first time with this method. For this purpose, 42 cat and dog foods belonging to various companies in the market were randomly collected from different pet clinics in Aydın and made ready for testing by passing through various stages. AA residues in foods were tested in an immuno-enzymatic way and as a result, AA residue was found in approximately 33% (14 samples) of the analyzed samples in dry cat and dog foods, with an average AA concentration of 87.35 ppb in these samples. The AA concentration in the samples was determined as 45 ppb at the lowest and 155 ppb at the highest. AA could not be detected in 67% of the investigated samples. In conclusion, the Maillard reaction observed during the preparation of food for pets is an important cause of AA formation. Therefore, improvement of formulation and process needs to be regulated carefully. In addition, it is recommended that the immuno-enzymatic method used in the study must be supported by more future studies.

Lipid Fraction Properties of Homemade Raw Cat Foods and Selected Commercial Cat Foods

The purpose of the present study was to characterize lipid fraction extracted from five self-prepared and seven commercial cat foods using gas chromatography (GC) and pressurized differential scanning calorimetry (PDSC) techniques. Self-prepared food recipes were composed using BARFny kalkulator, software dedicated for balancing cat diets, and prepared on the basis of fresh raw meat and offal. Extracted fat fractions were compared qualitatively and quantitatively with literature data for the fat of whole prey items to check the main assumptions of the software used. The fatty acid (FA) composition and distribution were determined using GC. The PDSC method was used for the determination of the oxidative stability of extracted fats. The obtained results indicate that self-prepared cat foods contained a high level of essential fatty acids (EFA) but low oxidative stability, especially for those with significant amounts of polyunsaturated FA. The FA profile and oxidative stability were examined for four dry and three wet commercial cat foods. It was found that their omega-6 to omega-3 ratio was beneficial reaching 5.3:1 to 10.1:1, despite the low amount of EFA. The longer induction time was determined for fats extracted from commercial cat foods than for self-prepared ones, which indicate their higher oxidative stability.

PSV-B-19 Dietary choline supplementation increases transmethylation through the one-carbon cycle in overweight cats

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the dose-response relationship between dietary choline intake and one-carbon cycle activity in overweight cats at maintenance energy requirements. This study was approved by the University of Guelph Animal Care Committee (AUP#4118). Overweight (body condition score:≥6/9) adult male neutered cats (n = 14) received each of five choline chloride doses individually for three weeks in a 5x5 latin square design. Doses were based on body weight (BW) and the daily recommended allowance (RA) for choline for adult cats (63 mg/kg BW0.67). Doses were: 2xRA (126 mg/kg BW0.67), 4xRA (252 mg/kg BW0.67), 6xRA (378 mg/kg BW0.67), 8xRA (504 mg/kg BW0.67), and control (no additional choline). Choline was administered onto the commercial extruded cat food (3620 mg choline/kg diet), given once a day at maintenance energy requirements (130 kcal/kg BW0.4). Fasted serum samples were analyzed for metabolomics through quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and direct infusion mass spectrometry (DI-MS) at the end of each period. Data was analyzed using proc GLIMMIX in SAS, with group and period as the random effects, and dose as the fixed effect. Statistical significance was considered at P &amp;lt; 0.05. Tukey’s post-hoc test was performed to assess multiple comparisons. Choline at 6x and 8x RA appears to increase transmethylation through the one-carbon cycle, as suggested by increased serum betaine, dimethylglycine (DMG) and methionine (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Carnitine, methylated by s-adenosylmethionine (SAM), increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Serine and threonine, precursors for the biosynthesis of homocysteine, appear to have been spared (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Supplemental dietary choline (6x and 8xRA) may be beneficial for overweight cats, as it may increase activity of the one-carbon cycle and methyl status; which are necessary for hepatic function. To better understand the impact of choline on methylation reactions, the quantification of specific proteins, gene expression and/or conversion rates is required.

Comparisons of In Vitro and In Vivo Digestibility Assays for Phosphorus in Feline Diets and Associations with Dietary Nutrient Content.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient; however, potential health impacts of high dietary levels of added soluble, highly bioavailable P salts especially are a concern. P sources with lower bioavailability are considered safer. Yet, speciation of different P sources to assess diets' risk to health is challenging. This investigation tested the value of in vitro water extraction and digestion assays to predict in vivo P apparent bioavailability/digestibility in feline diets. Thirty wet (n = 18) and dry (n = 12) format experimental and commercial cat foods were analyzed for nutrient content. Triplicate samples were subjected to in vitro water extraction, single-phase acidic (gastric; G) digestion, and dual-phase gastric and small intestinal (G-SI) digestion assays. Soluble and insoluble P were determined in the supernatant and pellet, respectively. A subset of the diets (seven wet, nine dry diets) was fed to healthy, adult cats (n = 7-24) to determine in vivo apparent P digestibility. Information on the soluble P salt sources and their contribution to total dietary P was available for some diets. Associations between data from the different in vitro assays and in vivo digestibility trials and the influence of different diet parameters were obtained using Pearson correlation and linear regression modeling. The % soluble P obtained from G-SI digestion assay correlated well with in vivo apparent P digestibility for wet (Pearson coefficient 0.926, p = 0.003), but not for dry diets (Pearson coefficient -0.074, p = 0.849). In contrast, the % soluble P determined by water extraction correlated well with the % soluble P salt contribution to total P for dry (Pearson coefficient 0.901, p < 0.001), but not for wet diets (Pearson coefficient -0.407, p = 0.365). Thus, 20 min water extraction can be used to predict soluble P salt content in dry diets; however, differing Ca:P ratios and water solubility of the P sources may affect the outcome and false-positive results can occur. The G-SI digestion assay employed can also be used to predict in vivo P digestibility. However, again, diet format, Ca:P ratios in diets, and possibly other factors can impact the results. Thus, data from in vitro assays to assess P sources and bioavailability need to be interpreted with care.

Determination of bisphenol A in commercial cat food marketed in the Czech Republic.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most widely used synthetic compounds on the planet. It is used in the synthesis of polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins and other polymer materials. Owing to its excellent chemical and physical properties, it is used to produce food and beverage containers or the linings for metal products. BPA has been mentioned as a possible cause of feline hyperthyroidism. Cat food is considered one of the main sources of BPA intake. The purpose of this study was to evaluate BPA concentration in various types of commercial cat food available in the Czech Republic. In total, 172 samples prepared from 86 different types of commercial cat food were assessed. The concentration of BPA was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Measurable concentration of BPA was found in all samples (range 0.065-131 ng/g), with the highest concentration (mean ± SD) of BPA in canned food (24.6 ± 34.8 ng/g). When comparing BPA concentration in food trays (1.58 ± 0.974 ng/g), pouches (0.591 ± 0.592 ng/g) and dry food (1.18 ± 0.518 ng/g), concentrations of BPA in food trays and dry food were significantly higher (P <0.01) compared with pouches. Comparing BPA concentrations in canned food of different manufacturers, statistically significant differences were found as well. The highest concentrations of BPA were found in cans. Thus, cans represent the highest possibility of exposure to BPA in comparison with other types of commercial feline food.

Using a next-generation sequencing approach to DNA metabarcoding for identification of adulteration and potential sources of mercury in commercial cat and dog foods.

Studies have demonstrated that some commercial pet (i.e., cat and dog) food products contain high concentrations of mercury (Hg), and some products have Hg concentrations that are higher than expected based on the ingredients included in the package ingredient list. Additionally, concentrations of methylmercury, a particularly toxic form of Hg commonly associated with fish-based ingredients, are largely unstudied despite the widespread use of such ingredients in pet food products. This study aimed to quantify total Hg and methylmercury in a variety of commercial pet food products (n=127), and use genetic tools to determine if specific ingredients contributed to high Hg concentrations in the final product. Results indicate that total Hg concentrations were above suggested maximum tolerable limits in three of the tested pet food products, and that methylmercury concentrations were at safe levels in all tested products. Next-generation amplicon sequencing using ten barcode primers was conducted to target distinct taxa and to determine if one primer set outperformed the others in amplifying the often heavily degraded DNA found in pet food products. The 16sUniF_16sUniR primer set generated a relatively higher number of reads across the broadest set of taxa, although several of the primer sets were useful in identifying common animal- and plant-based ingredients in commercial pet food products. Combined with the Hg results, it was demonstrated that pet food product ingredients are consistent among and between product lots. However, these results also revealed that adulteration is prevalent in pet food products.

A review of phosphorus homeostasis and the impact of different types and amounts of dietary phosphate on metabolism and renal health in cats.

Elevated concentrations of serum phosphate are linked with progression and increased case fatality rate in animals and humans with chronic kidney disease. Elevated concentrations of serum phosphate can be a risk factor for development of renal and cardiovascular diseases or osteoporosis in previously healthy people. In rodents, an excess intake of dietary phosphorus combined with an inverse dietary calcium : phosphorus ratio (<1 : 1) contributes to renal calcification. Renal injury also has occured in cats fed experimental diets supplemented with highly soluble phosphate salts, especially in diets with inverse calcium : phosphorus ratios. However, not all phosphorus sources contribute similarly to this effect. This review, which focuses on cats, summarizes the published evidence regarding phosphorus metabolism and homeostasis, including the relative impact of different dietary phosphorus sources, and their impact on the kidneys. No data currently shows that commercial cat foods induce renal injury. However, some diets contain high amounts of phosphorus relative to recommendations and some have inverse Ca : P ratios and so could increase the risk for development of kidney disease. While limiting the use of highly soluble phosphates appears to be important, there are insufficient data to support a specific upper limit for phosphate intake. This review also proposes areas where additional research is needed in order to strengthen conclusions and recommendations regarding dietary phosphorus for cats.

Evaluation of nutrient content and caloric density in commercially available foods formulated for senior cats.

BackgroundCat foods marketed for senior cats (≥7 years) are available to owners. The variability in the nutritional content of these foods is unknown.ObjectivesTo measure the caloric density and caloric distribution of crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and vitamin D3 in commercially available foods for senior cats and to compare nutrient content with foods for adult cats.SamplesThirty‐one senior and 59 adult commercial nontherapeutic cat food products.MethodsDescriptive study. Crude protein, crude fiber, and crude fat were measured using Dumas nitrogen combustion, Ankom filter bag technique, and acid hydrolysis, respectively. Mineral concentrations were measured using inductively coupled argon plasma‐optical emission spectroscopy. Vitamin D3 was determined by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Caloric density was calculated using modified Atwater values.ResultsThe evaluated nutrient concentrations in all foods for senior cats met the values of the Association of American Feed Control Officials Cat Food Nutrient Profile for adult maintenance. Foods for senior cats had significantly higher crude fiber content when compared to foods for adult cats (P < .0001). No significant difference in crude protein, crude fat and mineral concentrations was found between foods for senior and adult cats.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceFoods marketed for senior cats are highly variable in their caloric density and nutrient content and, except for crude fiber, are similar to foods for adult cats. Veterinarians should avoid broad recommendations regarding commercially available foods for senior cats, and dietary recommendations should reflect the patient's individual needs.

Identifying the composition of commercial Brazilian cat food with stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen

ABSTRACT Considering the increasing pet owner’s concern about the food their pets are consuming, in this study we investigated the origin of the main ingredients in wet and dry foods produced in Brazil using stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen. We concluded that chicken and pork seem to be the dominant ingredients in most of the samples, with larger proportions in wet cat food. Even in pet foods showing ‘beef’ as the main ingredient on the label, we found a low proportion of bovine products in both wet and dry cat foods. Comparing the contribution of plant-derived products (C3 and C4 plants) and animal-derived products (chicken–pork, bovine and fish), approximately 21 % of cat foods had more than 30 % of ingredients with plant origin in their composition. The high amount of plant-derived products in cat foods found here raises the question whether this should be mentioned on package labels.

Subhypnotic dose of intravenous propofol stimulates appetite in cats with stress-induced anorexia

BackgroundStress-induced anorexia is common in cats. While medications are available to stimulate appetite, many require oral administration, have delayed onset-of-action or cause adverse side effects. The aim of this study...

Mycotoxin-induced cytotoxicity of commercially available pelleted feline feed in feline peripheral blood mononuclear cells Ex Vivo

Mycotoxin contamination is a major concern in developing countries such as South Africa, with pelleted pet foods often being contaminated with mycotoxins that have a negative impact on pet health. This study investigated the cytotoxicity of some common mycotoxins found in commercial cat food. A total of 12 cat food samples consisting of six samples each from standard grocery store lines (SB) and premium veterinarian lines (PB) were collected from supermarkets and veterinary practices, respectively. Samples of pelleted cat food were extracted for mycotoxins. Cat peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and treated with various feed extracts for 24 h to determine the oxidative stress and antioxidant status, using the thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) and glutathione assays, mitochondrial integrity and cell death using caspsase 3/7 luminometry and Annexin V flow cytometry assays, respectively. Both PB and SB extracts decreased ATP levels (P<0.05) and increased mitochondrial depolarization (P<0.05) except for the PB acid fraction. Lipid peroxidation was increased in both PB and SB extracts (P<0.05) with a concomitant decrease in glutathione levels (P<0.05). Apoptosis and necrosis of PBMCs were also increased (P<0.05) in PB and SB extracts, with executioner caspases-3/7 elevated (except for the PB acid fraction). Interestingly, initiator caspases were decreased (P<0.05). This study found that both PB and SB display immune toxicity in feline lymphocytes; however, PB fared better by demonstrating lower levels of cytotoxicity.

Short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins in imported commercial dry cat and dog food in China: Concentrations, distributions and risk assessment

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are produced in large amounts and used worldwide. Dietary intake is the primary pathway for the exposure of pets to CPs, but limited information is available concerning the potential contamination of pet food by CPs. In the present study, the concentrations and congener group profiles of short-chain CPs (SCCPs) and medium-chain CPs (MCCPs) were assessed in 35 imported commercial dry cat and dog foods collected in China, and the estimated daily intakes of SCCPs and MCCPs for cats and dogs through the consumption of such foods was calculated. The concentrations of SCCPs and MCCPs in the cat and dog foods were determined to be in the ranges of 108–45,300 ng/g (median: 1340 ng/g) and 3.8–52,700 ng/g (median: 11 ng/g), respectively. The predominant congener groups were C10Cl6 for SCCPs and C14Cl7-8 for MCCPs. The high levels of CPs found in certain pet foods suggest the potential for adverse health effects.

Occurrence of Mycotoxins in Extruded Commercial Cat Food.

The occurrence of the most important mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol, fumonisin B1 and B2, aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, T-2, and HT-2 toxins) was determined in 64 extruded cat foods purchased in Italy through ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Deoxynivalenol and fumonisins were the most common contaminants (quantified in 80 and 95% of the samples, respectively). Conversely, aflatoxins B2, G1, and G2 were not identified in any sample. Some cat foods exceeded the regulatory limit for aflatoxin B1 (n = 3) or the guidance values for zearalenone (n = 3), fumonisins (n = 2), ochratoxin A (n = 1), and T-2 (n = 1) recently established for pets in the European Union. A widespread co-occurrence of mycotoxins was observed (28, 42, and 8% of the samples contained quantifiable amounts of two, three, and four mycotoxins, respectively). This study describes criticisms regarding the mycotoxin issue in pet food and suggests an improvement of the monitoring of the pet food chain.