Research Article Open Access

Comparison of High Fiber and Low Carbohydrate Diets on Owner-Perceived Satiety of Cats During Weight Loss

Martha Cline1, Angela Witzel1, Tamberlyn Moyers1, Joseph Bartges1 and Claudia Kirk1
  • 1 University of Tennessee, United States

Abstract

Food-seeking behaviors exhibited by cats during weight loss programs are frustrating to owners. Two categories of therapeutic weight loss diets are available for cats: High Fiber (HF) and Low Carbohydrate (LC). The objective of this study was to determine if cat owners perceive a difference in satiety when their cats are fed either a HF or LC diet during a weight loss regimen. Twenty-eight client-owned cats were randomly assigned to either an HF or LC canned diet and fed to 80% of their ideal weight resting energy requirements. Cats were rechecked at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks and food intake adjusted to maintain weight loss between 0.5-1% per week. Seventeen cats completed the 8-week weight loss study (HF = 10, LC = 7). Owners completed behavior questionnaires at each visit and were blinded to food assignments. The two diet groups did not differ significantly by age, sex, body condition score, caloric intake, or rate of weight loss during the study. The two diets did not differ by owner response to questionnaire. In conclusion, owners perceived cats to be equally satiated during weight loss regimens on both the HF and LC diets.

American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Volume 7 No. 4, 2012, 218-225

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajavsp.2012.218.225

Submitted On: 11 October 2012 Published On: 8 January 2013

How to Cite: Cline, M., Witzel, A., Moyers, T., Bartges, J. & Kirk, C. (2012). Comparison of High Fiber and Low Carbohydrate Diets on Owner-Perceived Satiety of Cats During Weight Loss. American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 7(4), 218-225. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajavsp.2012.218.225

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Keywords

  • Satiety
  • Low Carbohydrate
  • High Fiber
  • Weight Loss