We are excited to announce a new publication! Dr. Francisco Poblanno Silva and colleagues recently published their new article “Energy Intake Recommendations from Cat Food Labels Sold in Ontario, Canada, Diverge from Predictive Equations for Adult Cat Maintenance” in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA). Read on for a short summary of their research and findings below.
Objective
This study aimed to compare the recommended calorie intake on adult cat food labels sold in Canada, with the estimated energy needs calculated using commonly used predictive equations.
Methods
In this observational study, we reviewed feeding guidelines on cat food labels available in Guelph, Ontario, between July and October 2023. We then calculated the recommended calorie intake for theoretical 3-kg and 5-kg cats—at low, medium, and high feeding amounts based on the portion sizes listed on each label. These values were then compared to energy needs estimated using equations from the National Research Council (for lean cats) and the American Animal Hospital Association (for inactive or neutered cats). We also explored how feeding recommendations varied by food type, portion measurement units, and marketing claims using various statistical methods.
Findings
We analyzed 790 commercial cat diets that included feeding guidelines, and here’s what we found:
- Some diets may underfeed cats:
- For 3-kg cats, 57% of the lowest recommended amounts were below what an inactive or overweight-prone cat would need to eat.
- For 5-kg cats, 32% were also below the predicted needs.
- Some diets may overfeed cats:
- For 3-kg cats, 35% of the highest recommended amounts were above what a lean cat would need to eat.
- For 5-kg cats, 52% exceeded the predicted needs.
- Feeding recommendations varied by diet type:
- All-life-stage diets tended to have higher feeding recommendations than adult-only diets.
- Weight-management diets tended to recommend lower calorie amounts for 5-kg cats.
- Serving size matters:
- The more calories per unit (like per cup or per can), the more calories the labels recommended feeding.
- This suggests a link between how energy-dense the food is, and the portion sizes suggested.
Conclusion
This study highlights that feeding recommendations on cat food labels don’t always align with a cat’s actual energy needs. These differences were often linked to the type of product, how serving sizes were measured, and marketing claims on the packaging.
Key takeaways for cat owners and veterinary professionals:
- Feeding guidelines should be used as a starting point, not a strict rule.
- Every cat is different: factors like body weight, body condition score, and activity level all impact how much they should eat.
- Portion sizes may need to be adjusted over time to maintain a healthy weight and prevent under- or overfeeding.
Written by: Julia Iaboni, BSc.H.
Reviewed by: Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe, DVM, PhD, Dip ECVCN, Associate Professor and Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Endowed Chair in Canine and Feline Clinical Nutrition, Francisco Poblano Silva, DVM, DVSc, ECVCN Dipl.