Food Preferences in Cats: Effect of Dietary Composition and Intrinsic Variables on Diet Selection

Abstract

A ten-year database of food preference tests (n = 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 (p < 0.06; β = −1.42, β = −1.56, and β = 2.68, respectively). Ash and CF contents presented negative correlations with food preference (rho = −0.269, p = 0.031; rho = −0.338, p = 0.006, respectively), and Ca had borderline significance and negative correlation with food preference (rho = −0.241, p = 0.054). Body weight and sex influenced the intake of Diet A, being lower for females (β = 11.758; p = 0.014) and heaviest cats (β = −5.490; p < 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; p = 0.032), mostly in females (rho = −3.537; p = 0.002). Males had greater preferences for Diet A during hot seasons (β = 10.216; p = 0.023) and females presented similar preferences throughout the year (p = 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.

Vegan versus meat-based pet foods: Owner-reported palatability behaviours and implications for canine and feline welfare

“…Serisier and colleagues [ 64 ] found that cats consume less in winter, possibly due to negative effects on exercise levels. Conversely, Alegría-Morán and colleagues [ 51 ] found that feline food intake increased, especially in females, in winter. Similarly, both dogs and poultry were found to have increased food intake during winter, probably due to decreased calorific need to maintain body temperature [ 65 – 67 ].…”

“…Alegría-Morán and colleagues [ 50 , 51 ] analysed 1,771 preference tests conducted on 34 kennelled dogs, and 1,021 preference tests on 24 kennelled cats. They found that food preferences in both species were negatively correlated with crude fibre and dry matter levels.…”

Drivers of Palatability for Cats and Dogs—What It Means for Pet Food Development

“…Palatants incorporate many different macro- and micromolecules including proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, peptides, vitamins, and minerals [ 96 ]. The aim of these ingredients is to enhance the sensory experience of the animal, particularly the umami T1R1 and T1R3 taste receptors, as cats are known to have a strong affinity for umami compounds [ 50 , 97 ]. In the pet food industry, animal protein hydrolysates have been used to create palatability enhancers via the Maillard reaction [ 98 ].…”

“…Several factors play an important role in diet selection for cats. Cats use both smell and taste in the detection and selection of foods [ 23 , 97 , 107 ]. While not as developed as in dogs, the olfactory senses are used by cats to recognise both novel and untrusted aromas [ 6 ].…”

A Palatability Test of Cat Healthy Foods Containing Gambier (Uncaria gambir Roxb.) and Chlorella sp.

“…The mistakes that are often found in keeping pet cats include diet portion or nutritional content that is not in accordance with cats' needs, which can interfere with cats' health and cause diseases such as obesity, diabetes, colic, and nutritional imbalance [1]. Understanding the relationship between food composition and several intrinsic variables of cat dietary preferences will be useful in improving the formulation of pet diets, allowing to meet the physiological and hedonic needs of domestic cats [2].…”