Abstract

To evaluate the effect of ovariectomy on food intake and body weight gain in adult cats fed according to their maintenance energy requirement (MER) and cats fed 1.5 times their MER. Eleven crossbreed adult female cats were monitored and weighed daily before undergoing ovariectomy, and their MER was determined once a stable body weight had been achieved. The ovariectomies were performed afterwards the cats were divided into two groups: group 1, composed of 6 cats, receiving the amount of food corresponding to their MER; and group 2, composed of 5 cats, fed 1.5 times their MER. No significant differences were found regarding food intake, alometric factor (kcal/kg0.67) and Metabolizable Energy (ME) intake (kcal/day) (P > 0.05) for cats in group 1. However, these cats gained weight over the 30 days after ovariectomy (P < 0.05). Cats in group 2 presented significant difference for food intake, alometric factor, ME intake (kcal/day) and body weight (P < 0.05). Ovariectomy had influenced the MER. Spayed cats that continued receiving the same energy intake before ovariectomy had gained weight, showing that the MER for cats had decreased after the procedure. Cats in group 2 had gained more weight than those in group 1. In order to keep spayed cats within the optimal body weight, it is necessary to monitor their feed intake, considering that the MER changes after ovariectomy, and female cats tend to overeat and gain weight, which may lead to being overweight or obesity.