Energy intake recommendations from cat food labels sold in Ontario, Canada, diverge from predictive equations for adult cat maintenance.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the recommended energy intake based on the feeding guidelines of adult maintenance cat foods sold in Canada with commonly used predictive energy equations.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study surveyed feeding guidelines on cat food labels in Guelph, ON, Canada, between July and October of 2023. Recommended energy intakes (REIs) for hypothetical 3- and 5-kg cats (low, medium, and high REIs) were calculated from label-suggested portions. Predicted reference energy values were calculated with the National Research Council equation for lean cats and American Animal Hospital Association equations for inactive/obese-prone and neutered cats. Feeding recommendation differences were analyzed by diet type, measuring unit, and label claims with nonparametric statistical methods.

Results: Among 790 diets with a feeding guideline, 57% and 32% of the low REI values were below the result of the equation for inactive/obese-prone cats for 3 kg and 5 kg, respectively. In contrast, 35% (3 kg) and 52% (5 kg) of the high REI values exceeded the result of the equation for lean cats. The high REI was higher for both body sizes in all-life-stage diets compared to adult maintenance diets. The low REI for 5-kg cats was lower in weight-management diets. The medium REI was positively correlated with metabolizable energy per serving unit.

Conclusions: Feeding guidelines on cat food labels in Canada frequently differed from predicted energy requirements, with discrepancies influenced by product type, feeding unit, and label claims.

Clinical relevance: Cat food feeding guidelines are a starting point; feeding amounts must be reassessed and adjusted over time based on each cat's body weight and condition trends and lifestyle.