Effects of dietary lipid sources on feed palatability, growth, fecal characteristics, blood parameters and antioxidant activity in British shorthair kittens (Felis catus)

This study aims to investigate the effects of various dietary lipid sources on feed palatability, growth performance, fecal characteristics, blood parameters and antioxidant activity in British shorthair kittens. British shorthair kittens (n = 36; average weight, 2.05 ± 0.06 kg) were fed diets supplemented with chicken fat (CF), flaxseed oil (FO), beef fat (BT), and sunflower oil (SO) in a preliminary experiment to assess feed palatability. Among the diets, CF and BT diets had higher intakes and preference. Thereafter, 20 kittens (1.39 ± 0.05 kg) were fed the diets for 8 weeks to assess growth performance. Body weight gain within 28 days was significantly lower in SO group than in CF group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the incidences of diarrhea, soft stool, and very firm/dry stool were highest in SO, FO, and BT groups, respectively. Moreover, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was higher in CF and BT groups than in the other groups. Among the groups, FO group exhibited the highest catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Furthermore, SO group exhibited the lowest levels blood total protein and albumin levels and the highest bile acid and total cholesterol levels. Notably, only aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were within the reference range in CF group. Conclusively, CF and BT supplementation positively influences palatability and growth performance, with CF showing additional benefits for digestive health and liver function. Moreover, oxidative stress was higher in FO and SO groups than in the CF and BT groups.