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Evaluation of grooming behaviour and apparent digestibility method in cats
Hee S Kim1, Jin S Hong1, Chang W Park2
11 School of Agricultural Biotechnology, and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
|July 14, 2018
Summary
Grooming patterns do not differ between longhair and shorthair cats. Conventional digestibility methods underestimate nutrient absorption in domestic cats due to hair inclusion in faeces.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Animal Nutrition
- Animal Behaviour
Background:
- Grooming is a significant behaviour in domestic cats (Felis catus).
- Accurate nutrient digestibility assessment is crucial for feline health and nutrition.
- The impact of ingested hair on apparent digestibility measurements is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare grooming time budgets and patterns between shorthair and longhair cats.
- To evaluate the effect of hair in faeces on the apparent digestibility of key nutrients in domestic cats.
Main Methods:
- Behavioural observations of 10 adult domestic cats using webcam videotaping over 24 hours.
- Collection and analysis of faecal samples to determine apparent nutrient digestibility.
- Comparison of digestibility in hair-included versus hair-removed faecal samples.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in grooming time budgets or patterns between shorthair and longhair cats.
- Apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude ash, acid detergent fibre (ADF), and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) was significantly higher in hair-removed faeces compared to hair-included faeces.
- Digestibility was underestimated by approximately 6% (dry matter), 7% (crude protein), 14% (crude ash), 12% (ADF), and 10% (NDF) when hair was included.
Conclusions:
- Grooming behaviour and patterns are consistent across different coat lengths in domestic cats.
- Conventional methods for assessing nutrient digestibility in cats may lead to underestimation due to the presence of hair in faecal samples.
- These findings highlight the need for adjusted methodologies in feline nutrition research to account for hair ingestion and its impact on digestibility calculations.
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