Consuming treats with amino acids, osmolytes and sodium increased total water intake and decreased urine specific gravity of healthy cats
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Objectives It is estimated that cats do not drink enough water, particularly those maintained on a dry diet. As such, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of providing two different high-moisture lickable treats containing glycine, alanine, taurine and betaine, and two sodium levels, on water intake and hydration indices in cats fed dry diets. Methods A total of 12 adult cats were provided treatments in a 3 × 3 replicated Latin square design for 5 days per leg: dry diet (CON), CON + one treat with 0.99% sodium (TRT A) and CON + one treat with 1.55% sodium (TRT B). Daily free water intake (FWI) was measured using fountains, and total water intake (TWI) was calculated as FWI + moisture from food and treats. Urine specific gravity (USG) and pH were measured daily; urine protein (UP), urine creatinine (CR) and the protein:creatinine (UP:CR) ratio were assessed on the final day of each leg. Fasted blood samples were collected for serum biochemistry. Results Daily TWI was lower on CON than on TRT B ( P = 0.001) and TRT A ( P = 0.009). Average USG was higher on CON than on TRT B ( P <0.001) and TRT A ( P = 0.005). UP and CR were also higher on CON ( P <0.001; P = 0.003). Daily TWI, average USG, UP and CR were similar on TRT A and TRT B. Urine pH varied by day ( P <0.001), but treatments did not differ. Magnesium was greater in CON than TRT B ( P = 0.006). Average FWI, UP:CR ratio and all other biochemistry values did not differ. Conclusions and relevance These data support that feeding either TRT A or TRT B increased the TWI of domestic cats fed a dry diet, and additional benefits accrued in lower USG, UP and CR.
Institutions: University of Guelph, University of Connecticut
Language: English
Subfield: Small Animals
Field: Veterinary
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,800
OpenAlex ID: W7171850651
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