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A tuna fish diet influences cat behavior.
K A Houpt1, L A Essick, E B Shaw
1Department of Physiology, Cornell University, New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca.
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Cats fed tuna cat food showed reduced activity and increased eating, with no impact on learning or human interaction. Tuna-fed cats had higher mercury and selenium levels, indicating potential dietary risks.
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior
- Comparative Nutrition
- Toxicology
Background:
- Dietary components in commercial cat foods can influence feline behavior and physiology.
- Tuna-based cat foods may contain elevated levels of heavy metals like mercury and selenium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral and cognitive effects of feeding cats commercial tuna versus beef cat food.
- To assess potential correlations between diet and tissue heavy metal levels in domestic cats.
Main Methods:
- Behavioral observations in home cages and an open field test.
- Assessment of learning and reversal learning using a two-choice point maze.
- Analysis of tissue mercury and selenium levels.
Main Results:
- Tuna-fed cats exhibited decreased activity, vocalization, and increased eating compared to beef-fed cats.
- No significant differences were observed in response to human handling or learning/reversal learning tasks.
- Tuna-fed cats had higher tissue levels of mercury and selenium.
- Behavioral differences in the open field test were limited to the number of toys contacted.
Conclusions:
- Commercial tuna-based cat food consumption is associated with altered feline activity and eating patterns.
- Elevated mercury and selenium levels in tuna-fed cats suggest potential health concerns.
- Dietary choices in commercial cat food do not appear to affect cognitive abilities like learning in cats.