Commercially available avian and mammalian whole prey diet items targeted for consumption by managed exotic and domestic pet felines: Macronutrient, mineral, and long-chain fatty acid composition
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2014 |
Authors: |
Katherine R. Kerr, Kelly L. Kappen, Lindsay M. Garner, Kelly S. Swanson |
Publication/Journal: |
Zoo Biology |
Keywords: |
cat, diet composition, feline nutrition, proximate analysis, raw diet |
ISBN: |
1098-2361 |
Abstract:
Whole prey diets encourage species-typical behaviors making them popular in the zoo and home setting for captive exotic and domestic felids, respectively. We evaluated macronutrient, mineral, and long-chain fatty acid composition of 20 whole prey items: mice (1–2, 10–13, 21–25, 30–40, and 150–180 days of age); rats (1–4, 10–13, 21–25, 33–42, and >60 days of age); rabbits (still born, 30–45 days, >65 days with skin, and >65 days of age with skin removed); chicken (1–3 days of age, ground adult); duck (ground adult); and quail (1–3, 21–40, and >60 days of age). Composition of whole prey was highly variable (15–40% DM, 34–75% CP, 10–60% fat, and 8–18% ash). A majority of whole prey samples (15/20) had at least one mineral or fatty acid below AAFCO [] or NRC [] minimum recommended concentrations for domestic cats (K, Na, Cl, Mg, Cu, Mn, and/or Zn; total fat, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid and/or EPA and DHA). These data identify potential nutrient deficiencies allowing for alterations in dietary formulation prior to long-term feeding. Zoo Biol. 33:327–335, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.