Effects of a high NaCl diet on eating and drinking patterns in pygmy goats

Eating and drinking patterns of eight pygmy goats were recorded under two diets with different NaCl content. A 3% NaCl diet in comparison to a 0.5% NaCl diet caused a long lasting depression of food intake, whereas water intake did not change. Therefore, the ratio between cumulative water and food intake increased significantly. Feeding the 3% NaCl diet mainly decreased food intake through a decrease in the size (31%) and frequency (16%) of meals which were not associated with drinking. Size and frequency of meals associated with drinking were not substantially affected by the 3% NaCl diet. Size and frequency of drafts were not altered. Size of meals associated with drinking was generally bigger than that of meals not associated with drinking. These findings can best be explained by control of feeding through osmolality of rumen fluid. Ruminal osmolality seems to be less important for control of drinking.