Food Preferences in Cats: Effect of Dietary Composition and Intrinsic Variables on Diet Selection
A ten-year database of food preference tests (<i>n</i> = 1021; period 2007−2017) was used to explore the feeding behavior of domestic cats. Principal component (PC) analysis and linear regression between food nutrients and preferences (for the most preferred diet of each test;...
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MDPI AG
2019-06-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/9/6/372 |
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| author | Raúl A. Alegría-Morán Sergio A. Guzmán-Pino Juan I. Egaña Valeria Sotomayor Jaime Figueroa |
| author_facet | Raúl A. Alegría-Morán Sergio A. Guzmán-Pino Juan I. Egaña Valeria Sotomayor Jaime Figueroa |
| author_sort | Raúl A. Alegría-Morán |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A ten-year database of food preference tests (<i>n</i> = 1021; period 2007−2017) was used to explore the feeding behavior of domestic cats. Principal component (PC) analysis and linear regression between food nutrients and preferences (for the most preferred diet of each test; Diet A) were performed. Intake and preference for Diet A were analyzed by intrinsic cats’ variables and climate season. The PC1 (calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and ash), PC2 (lipids and ether extract) and PC4 (crude fiber; CF) had borderline significance (<i>p</i> < 0.06; β = −1.42, β = −1.56, and β = 2.68, respectively). Ash and CF contents presented negative correlations with food preference (<i>rho</i> = −0.269, <i>p</i> = 0.031; <i>rho</i> = −0.338, <i>p</i> = 0.006, respectively), and Ca had borderline significance and negative correlation with food preference (<i>rho</i> = −0.241, <i>p</i> = 0.054). Body weight and sex influenced the intake of Diet A, being lower for females (β = 11.758; <i>p</i> = 0.014) and heaviest cats (β = −5.490; <i>p</i> < 0.001). However, only body weight affected food preferences, where the heaviest cats had greater preferences for Diet A. Hot season decreased food intake (β = −2,117; <i>p</i> = 0.032), mostly in females (<i>rho</i> = −3.537; <i>p</i> = 0.002). Males had greater preferences for Diet A during hot seasons (β = 10.216; <i>p</i> = 0.023) and females presented similar preferences throughout the year (<i>p</i> = 0.950). Mineral contents, body weight and sex affected food intake and preferences of cats under the influence of climate season, probably explained by adaptive changes in food detection. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T00:09:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bbfc2fa6e6cb42d58ab586ba3356221c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T00:09:40Z |
| publishDate | 2019-06-01 |
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| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-bbfc2fa6e6cb42d58ab586ba3356221c2022-12-22T00:45:01ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152019-06-019637210.3390/ani9060372ani9060372Food Preferences in Cats: Effect of Dietary Composition and Intrinsic Variables on Diet SelectionRaúl A. Alegría-Morán0Sergio A. Guzmán-Pino1Juan I. Egaña2Valeria Sotomayor3Jaime Figueroa4Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, ChileDepartamento de Fomento de la Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago 8820000, ChileDepartamento de Fomento de la Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago 8820000, ChileDepartamento de Fomento de la Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago 8820000, ChileDepartamento de Ciencias Animales, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, ChileA ten-year database of food preference tests (<i>n</i> = 1021; period 2007−2017) was used to explore the feeding behavior of domestic cats. Principal component (PC) analysis and linear regression between food nutrients and preferences (for the most preferred diet of each test; Diet A) were performed. Intake and preference for Diet A were analyzed by intrinsic cats’ variables and climate season. The PC1 (calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and ash), PC2 (lipids and ether extract) and PC4 (crude fiber; CF) had borderline significance (<i>p</i> < 0.06; β = −1.42, β = −1.56, and β = 2.68, respectively). Ash and CF contents presented negative correlations with food preference (<i>rho</i> = −0.269, <i>p</i> = 0.031; <i>rho</i> = −0.338, <i>p</i> = 0.006, respectively), and Ca had borderline significance and negative correlation with food preference (<i>rho</i> = −0.241, <i>p</i> = 0.054). Body weight and sex influenced the intake of Diet A, being lower for females (β = 11.758; <i>p</i> = 0.014) and heaviest cats (β = −5.490; <i>p</i> < 0.001). However, only body weight affected food preferences, where the heaviest cats had greater preferences for Diet A. Hot season decreased food intake (β = −2,117; <i>p</i> = 0.032), mostly in females (<i>rho</i> = −3.537; <i>p</i> = 0.002). Males had greater preferences for Diet A during hot seasons (β = 10.216; <i>p</i> = 0.023) and females presented similar preferences throughout the year (<i>p</i> = 0.950). Mineral contents, body weight and sex affected food intake and preferences of cats under the influence of climate season, probably explained by adaptive changes in food detection.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/9/6/372catcommercial dietsfood selectionnutrientsclimate seasonsex |
| spellingShingle | Raúl A. Alegría-Morán Sergio A. Guzmán-Pino Juan I. Egaña Valeria Sotomayor Jaime Figueroa Food Preferences in Cats: Effect of Dietary Composition and Intrinsic Variables on Diet Selection Animals cat commercial diets food selection nutrients climate season sex |
| title | Food Preferences in Cats: Effect of Dietary Composition and Intrinsic Variables on Diet Selection |
| title_full | Food Preferences in Cats: Effect of Dietary Composition and Intrinsic Variables on Diet Selection |
| title_fullStr | Food Preferences in Cats: Effect of Dietary Composition and Intrinsic Variables on Diet Selection |
| title_full_unstemmed | Food Preferences in Cats: Effect of Dietary Composition and Intrinsic Variables on Diet Selection |
| title_short | Food Preferences in Cats: Effect of Dietary Composition and Intrinsic Variables on Diet Selection |
| title_sort | food preferences in cats effect of dietary composition and intrinsic variables on diet selection |
| topic | cat commercial diets food selection nutrients climate season sex |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/9/6/372 |
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