Affiliation:
1. Institute of Animal Nutrition, Vetsuisse Faculty University Zurich, Switzerland
bwichert@vetphys.uzh.ch
2. Institute of Animal Nutrition, Vetsuisse Faculty University Zurich, Switzerland
3. Institute of Animal Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland
Abstract
In the present investigation, data on the energy intakes and energy needs, as well as protein and fat accretion, of queens during pregnancy, during lactation and after lactation are given. Eleven adult cats were used as experimental animals. Data were collected during the fourth and seventh week of pregnancy, the second and sixth week of lactation and the second and sixth week after lactation. The cats were fed dry kitten food. During gestation and after lactation, all measurements were performed with respiration chambers. During lactation, balance trials without respiration chambers were performed. Body weight was measured and nitrogen, carbon and energy balances were calculated. From these, protein and fat accretion, as well as the metabolisable energy intake, was calculated. The weight gain during gestation was linearly independent of the number of kittens. During lactation, all cats lost weight; nevertheless, all cats except one were heavier 2 weeks after lactation than at mating. The energy intake of the cats during gestation was 1.8 times the maintenance requirement in the fourth week and two times maintenance requirement in the seventh week, and these energy intakes differed greatly among individuals. The energy intake of the cats during lactation was clearly higher than that recommended by National Research Council (NRC)1, whereas the recommended protein intake in the second week of lactation was met. As the calculated protein balance was negative, the NRC recommendation for protein intake seems to be too low. In comparison to previous data, the cats showed a higher energy intake during lactation (median 502 kJ/kgBW/d, second week lactation), and the weight loss was much lower. Further investigations on pregnant and lactating cats are necessary to complete the database.
Reference18 articles.
1. Nutrient requirements of dogs and cats. Washington, DC: National Academic Press; 2006:28 114 364-48 20 70.
2. Loveridge G.G.,Rivers J.P.W.Nutrition of the dog and cat, Waltham symposium 7. Burger I.H., Rivers J.P.W., ed. Cambridge: University Press; 1989:113-132.
3. ZottmannB. Untersuchungen zur Milchleistung und Milchzusammensetzung der Katze (Felis catus). Diss Med Vet, München, 1997.
Cited by
21 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献
1. Nutritional strategies of dogs and cats;Introduction to Diseases, Diagnosis, and Management of Dogs and Cats;2024
2. Nutrition and Theriogenology;Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice;2023-09
3. Feeding the Healthy Dog and Cat;Applied Veterinary Clinical Nutrition;2023-08-23
4. Reproductive Management in Catteries: Optimising health and wellbeing through veterinarian-breeder collaboration;Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery;2022-08-24
5. Pregnancy Diagnosis and Management;Feline Reproduction;2022-06-28