Use of a raw meat-based diet or a dry kibble diet for sand cats (Felis margarita).

Abstract

Limited information is available on the utilization of different types of diets by captive exotic felid species. Utilization of diets by small exotic felids may differ depending on the diet fed. Eight sand cats (Felis margarita), which are small, 2- to 4-kg cats, were used to examine the digestibility of two types of diets: a raw meat-based diet and a dry kibble diet. Dry matter, crude protein and energy intakes and digestibilities were evaluated. Digestibilities for dry matter, energy, and crude protein were 83.5 +/- 4.8, 89.6 +/- 5.2, 92.4 +/- 5.3% for the raw meat-based diet and 72.7 +/- 12.3, 76.8 +/- 14.5, and 77.9 +/- 13.5% for the kibble diet. Physiological variables also were examined and included plasma taurine, vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, beta-carotene, calcium, and phosphorus. Plasma taurine means were 91.4 +/- 8.4 mumol/L in cats consuming the raw meat-based diet and 248.0 +/- 23.2 mumol/L in cats consuming the kibble diet. Plasma phosphorus was 5.2 +/- .1 and 4.5 +/- .1 mg/dL, respectively, in cats consuming raw meat-based and kibble diets. beta-Carotene was 25.2 +/- 2.9 and 2.9 +/- .3 micrograms/dL, respectively, for cats consuming the raw meat-based and kibble diets. These results indicate that diets formulated for small captive exotic felid species should be evaluated with respect to diet type and nutrient utilization.

Nutritional Factors Affecting Semen Quality in Felids

“…Some digestibility studies have been conducted in small felids, such as the serval (Leptailurus serval), lynx (Lynx lynx), caracal (Caracal caracal), and sand cat (Felis margarita), 6,10 and in large felids, including the tiger (Panthera tigris), lion (Panthera leo), puma (Puma concolor), and leopard (Panthera pardus). 9,29,31 Although diets may be digested differently, 15 the type of diet offered to captive nondomestic felids is based on nutritional requirements for domestic cats (Table 33-1).…”

Comparison of methods for determination of nutrient digestibility of a dry kibble diet for ocelots

“…When compared to researches in small wild felines, the CADDM was similar to that verified by Crissey et al (1997) in Felis margarita, yet inferior to the value found by Vester et al (2010) in Felis lybica. In relation to the CADCP, values obtained in this study were superior to Felis margarita (Crissey et al 1997) and inferior to Felis lybica (Vester et al 2010).…”

“…Vester et al (2010) recommended the dry diet of their experiment, despite the fact that it presented a CADCP inferior to the standard diet. According to Crissey et al (1997), the smaller values of nutrient digestibility found may be related to the remarkable amounts of vegetal ingredients in the experimental kibble. This was also noticed by Vester et al (2010), who observed larger fecal volume in individuals that received dry diet, what, inclusively, demanded more time for cleaning the enclosures.…”

“…In their research, Crissey et al (1997) used specific commercial kibble for wild felines; however this diet showed to be less digestible for DM, GE, and CP when compared to raw meat. Vester et al (2010) recommended the dry diet of their experiment, despite the fact that it presented a CADCP inferior to the standard diet.…”

“…The employment of dry kibble was only studied for two species of small wild cats, Felis margarita (Crissey et al 1997) and Felis lybica (Vester et al 2010). For ocelots, only Bennett et al (2009) studied the digestibility of whole preys and one type of commercial moist diet.…”