BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE IN DOGS AND CATS UNDER DIFFERENT FEEDING DIETS

Foram determinados os parâmetros de bioquímica sanguínea em 50 cães e 25 gatos sadios submetidos a três regimes alimentares: ração comercial, comida caseira e alimentação mista (ração e caseira). Os cães e os gatos alimentados com regime misto apresentaram níveis sanguíneos elevados de glicose e de colesterol, sugerindo um consumo de alimentos calóricos acima dos requerimentos e um maior risco de obesidade. A ingestão de proteínas na alimentação caseira parece ser restrita, considerando-se as baixas concentrações de albumina e/ou uréia sanguíneas nos cães e nos gatos. Baixos teores de cálcio foram encontrados nos cães de alimentação não concentrada. Os gatos com alimentação caseira podem estar consumindo quantidades baixas de minerais revelado pelos menores teores sanguíneos de cálcio, fósforo e magnésio. Abstract The aim of the present work was to carry out a study on the variation of the blood chemistry constituents of dogs and cats subjected to different feeding diets. Blood samples from 50 healthy dogs and 25 cats were used to study the effect of feeding diets with commercial ration, homemade or mixed (concentrate and homemade) on their blood biochemical profile. Both, dogs and cats, fed with mixed rations showed higher glucose and cholesterol blood levels, which could be suggestive of a high caloric intake and a risk of obesity. Intake of proteins in animals with homemade feed seems to be low considering concentrations of plasma albumin and/or urea in dogs and cats. Low levels of calcium were found in dogs with non-concentrated feed. Cats with homemade feed could have low intake of minerals considering the lower levels of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium observed