Effects of feeding regimens on bodyweight, composition and condition score in cats following ovariohysterectomy

The effects of ovariohysterectomy on bodyweight, composition and condition score were evaluated in 49 cats that were fed ad libitum and 11 cats that had their food allowances controlled with the aim of maintaining a stable bodyweight. In cats fed ad libitum, bodyweight increased by an average of 31...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of small animal practice 2001-09, Vol.42 (9), p.433-438
Main Authors: Harper, E. J., Stack, D. M., Watson, T. D. G., Moxham, G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adipose Tissue - metabolism
Age Factors
Animal Feed
Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Animals
Body Composition
Body Weight - physiology
Cat Diseases - etiology
Cat Diseases - prevention & control
Cats - surgery
Energy Intake
Energy Metabolism - physiology
Female
Hysterectomy - adverse effects
Hysterectomy - veterinary
Obesity - etiology
Obesity - prevention & control
Obesity - veterinary
Ovariectomy - adverse effects
Ovariectomy - veterinary
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Summary:The effects of ovariohysterectomy on bodyweight, composition and condition score were evaluated in 49 cats that were fed ad libitum and 11 cats that had their food allowances controlled with the aim of maintaining a stable bodyweight. In cats fed ad libitum, bodyweight increased by an average of 31 per cent in the 12 months following ovariohysterectomy compared with 3‐1 per cent over the 12 months before surgery, and this was largely due to increased body fat content. There was no difference in weight gain between cats fed dry or canned foods, but weight gain was inversely related to age and bodyweight at the time of neutering. Mean bodyweight increased by 7‐5 per cent in the controlled feeding group, compared with 3–6 per cent over the 12 months before surgery, and individual bodyweights were maintained to within 10 per cent of pre‐neutering values in nine cats. The other two cats experienced substantial weight gain (+20 per cent and +36 per cent), despite being fed only 40 kcal/kg/day. There were no significant changes in body composition of cats with controlled dietary allowances and their condition scores were significantly lower than those of cats fed ad libitum. The results confirm a link between ovariohysterectomy and the development of obesity in cats with free access to food, and indicate that substantial reductions in energy intake are required to prevent weight gain in such cats.
ISSN:0022-4510
1748-5827
DOI:10.1111/j.1748-5827.2001.tb02496.x