Short-term changes in dietary fat levels and starch sources affect weight management, glucose and lipid metabolism, and gut microbiota in adult cats.

A 2 × 2 factorial randomized design was utilized to investigate the effects of fat level (8% or 16% fat on a fed basis) and starch source (pea starch or corn starch) on body weight, glycolipid metabolism, hematology and fecal microbiota in cats. The study lasted for 28 days and included a low-fat and pea starch diet (LFPS), a high-fat and pea starch diet (HFPS), a low-fat and corn starch diet (LFCS), and a high-fat and corn starch diet (HFCS). In this study, hematological analysis showed that all cats were healthy. The apparent total tract digestibility of gross energy, crude protein and crude fat were above 85% in the four diets. After 28 days, cats fed the high-fat diets (HF) gained an average of 50 g more than those fed the low-fat diets (LF). The hematological results showed that the HF diets increased the body inflammation in cats, while the LFPS group improved the glucolipid metabolism. The levels of glucose and insulin were lower in cats fed the LF diets than those in cats fed the HF diets (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, compared with the LF, the concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum were greater in the cats fed the HF diets (P < 0.05). Additionally, both fat level and starch source influenced the fecal microbiota, with the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Blautia being significantly greater in the LFPS group than in the other three groups (P < 0.05). Reducing energy density and using pea starch in foods are both valuable design additions to aid in the management of weight control and improve gut health in cats. This study highlights the importance of fat level and starch in weight management in cats.