EXPRESS: Consuming treats with amino acids, osmolytes and sodium increased total water intake and decreased urine specific gravity of healthy cats

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: Twelve adult cats were provided treatments in a 3×3 replicated Latin square design for five 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-to-creatinine ratio (UP: CR) were assessed on the final day of each leg. Fasted blood samples were collected for serum biochemistry. RESULTS: Daily TWI was lower in CON than in TRT B (p = 0.001) and TRT A (p = 0.009). Average USG was higher in CON than in TRT B (P < 0.001) and TRT A (P = 0.005). UP and CR were also higher in CON (P < 0.001; P = 0.003). Daily TWI, average USG, UP, and CR were similar in 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 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.