Scientists from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) found that excess weight in cats leads to impaired nutrient absorption and increased fecal acidity. The study was published on: Journal of Animal Sciences.
In the experiment, 11 neutered adult cats were given unlimited amounts of dry food for 18 weeks. Several other cats also served as comparison groups: Their caloric intake was adjusted so that the animals’ weight did not change.
While the cats’ average body condition score (BCS) was initially 5.41 on a 9-point scale, after 18 weeks of overfeeding, this increased to 8.27. This means cats are 30% overweight.
Scientists observed an increase in stool volume and gastrointestinal transit time, that is, the time between food intake and bowel movement. The acidity of feces in cats also increased, indicating poor absorption of carbohydrates and fats.
As cats do not get all the nutrients they need, the microbial composition of their intestines has changed: the bacterial population has increased BifidobacteriumSuppressing pathogens and stimulating the immune system, increasing inflammation. They also have less collinella – Bacteria that break down fibers and reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases.
Findings regarding changes in weight gain suggest that obesity in cats may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, all of which are associated with chronic inflammation. Because the study was relatively short, none of the cats developed long-term illness. When the experiment was completed, the animals were put on a diet to lose weight.
Previous scientists I learnedHow do pets affect older people’s memory?