The debate surrounding raw food diets for cats and dogs remains a contentious topic among pet owners and veterinary professionals. While proponents advocate for raw diets as the ancestral and optimal nutritional choice, citing benefits such as improved digestibility and coat quality, concerns regarding nutritional balance and food safety persist. This study investigates the nutritional adequacy of two raw feline diets for kittens, comparing them to a cooked diet through an AAFCO growth feeding trial. The research assesses key growth parameters, blood profiles, and fecal health to provide insights into the viability and potential risks associated with feeding raw diets to young cats.
Kitten Growth and Development on Raw vs. Cooked Diets
The study involved twenty-four 9-week-old kittens divided into three groups: one fed a cooked diet, another a commercial raw diet, and the third a combination raw diet. Over a 10-week period, morphometric measurements including weight, height, and length were meticulously recorded. The findings indicated that all three dietary groups supported kitten growth, with no statistically significant differences in height or length observed between them.
Weight Gain Patterns
While overall growth parameters were comparable, some weight gain variations were noted. Male kittens generally exhibited higher weight gains than females across all groups. Kittens on the combination raw diet showed a trend towards higher weight gains, particularly in males, although these differences did not reach statistical significance. Both raw diets met the AAFCO guidelines for growth claims, ensuring that the kittens’ weights were comparable to those on the control cooked diet. This suggests that, within the scope of this trial, raw diets can adequately support the physical development of kittens.
Hematological and Biochemical Analysis
A comprehensive analysis of blood parameters was conducted to assess the nutritional status and identify any potential health concerns. Complete blood counts (CBCs) and serum chemistry panels were performed at regular intervals throughout the 10-week trial.
Red Blood Cell Parameters
Significant findings included a trend towards lower albumin and higher globulin levels in kittens fed raw diets compared to the cooked diet. However, these albumin levels remained within normal reference intervals, suggesting no clinical significance. A notable observation was microcytosis (smaller red blood cells) in the combination raw diet group, which was more pronounced as the feeding trial progressed. This microcytosis, coupled with potentially inadequate iron or copper levels in the diet, could indicate nutritional deficiencies or a subclinical inflammatory response affecting red blood cell production. While hemoglobin and hematocrit levels increased in the cooked diet group, they tended to plateau in the raw diet groups, further suggesting potential differences in red blood cell maturation or iron utilization.
Taurine and Other Biochemical Markers
Whole blood taurine levels, crucial for feline heart and eye health, were adequate in all groups at the end of the trial, with the combination raw diet exhibiting the highest levels. However, the commercial raw diet showed a decrease in taurine levels over the study period, raising questions about long-term adequacy. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was significantly higher in the combination raw diet group, consistent with its higher protein content. Potassium levels were also noted to be lower in the cooked diet group compared to the raw diets, potentially related to protein intake and acid-base balance.
Fecal Health and Pathogen Exposure
Fecal cultures were performed to monitor for the presence of pathogenic bacteria, a known concern with raw meat diets. Increases in Clostridium perfringens, a common inhabitant of the feline gut, were observed in most groups, which may be exacerbated by high-protein diets.
Detection of Salmonella and Clostridium difficile
Of particular concern, Salmonella serovar Heidelberg was detected in the feces of a kitten fed the combination raw diet, and Clostridium difficile toxin was also identified in another kitten on the same diet. Although these findings did not result in clinical illness in the affected kittens, they highlight the potential risk of pathogen exposure to both pets and their owners. The study noted that while the raw diets themselves were not found to be contaminated with Salmonella during the testing period, the presence of these pathogens in the feces underscores the inherent risks associated with feeding raw meat.
Discussion and Conclusions
This study indicates that the two raw feline diets tested can support kitten growth and meet AAFCO growth trial requirements. However, the findings also raise important considerations regarding nutritional nuances and food safety. The observed microcytosis in one raw diet group warrants further investigation into potential mineral deficiencies or inflammatory responses.
The detection of Salmonella and Clostridium difficile in the feces of kittens fed raw diets emphasizes the zoonotic potential and the need for strict hygiene practices for owners feeding these diets. While AAFCO feeding trials serve as a valuable benchmark, they may not fully capture long-term nutritional adequacy or the full spectrum of food safety risks. Further research is essential to comprehensively understand the long-term health impacts and safety profiles of raw diets for domestic cats.
References
Provided in the original article.
