Berman, Chad F.Lobetti, Remo G.Zini, EricFosgate, Geoffrey TheodoreSchoeman, Johan P.2023-08-082023-08-082022-08Berman, C.F., Lobetti, R.G., Zini, E., Fosgate, G.T. & Schoeman, J.P. Influence of high-protein and high-carbohydrate diets on serum lipid and fructosamine concentrations in healthy cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2022; 24(8): 759-769. doi: 10.1177/1098612X211047062.1098-612X (print)1532-2750 (online)10.1177/1098612X211047062http://hdl.handle.net/2263/91850This paper was presented as a poster presentation at the annual ECVIM-CA online congress, 2–5 September 2020.OBJECTIVES : The aim of this study was to determine whether high-protein and high-carbohydrate diets exert differential effects on serum cholesterol, triglyceride and fructosamine concentrations in healthy cats. METHODS : A randomised, crossover diet trial was performed in 35 healthy shelter cats. Following baseline health assessments, cats were randomised into groups receiving either a high-protein or high-carbohydrate diet for 4 weeks. The cats were then fed a washout diet for 4 weeks before being transitioned to whichever of the two studied diets they had not yet received. Fasting serum cholesterol, triglyceride and fructosamine concentrations were determined at the end of each 4-week diet period. RESULTS : Cats on the high-carbohydrate diet had significantly lower serum cholesterol (P <0.001) concentrations compared with baseline measurements. Cats on the high-protein diet had significantly higher serum cholesterol (P <0.001) and triglyceride (P <0.001) concentrations, yet lower fructosamine (P <0.001) concentrations compared with baseline measurements. In contrast, overweight cats (body condition score [BCS] >5) had lower cholesterol (P = 0.007) and triglyceride (P = 0.032) concentrations on the high-protein diet than cats within other BCS groups. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE : Diets higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates appear beneficial for short-term glucose control in healthy cats. A high-protein diet was associated with significantly elevated cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in healthy cats, even though the increase was significantly less pronounced in cats with a BCS >5. This finding suggests that overweight cats process high-protein diets, cholesterol and triglycerides differently than leaner cats.en© The Author(s) 2021.CatsSDG-03: Good health and well-beingHigh-carbohydrate dietsHigh-protein dietsSerum cholesterolTriglycerideFructosamine concentrationPostprint Article