Zinc deficiency in the cat.

Two experiments were conducted to produce Zn deficiency in, and to establish approximate Zn requirements of, the cat. In experiment 1, soy protein (SP)-based diets were fed for 8 months: diet 1, basal, without added Zn, 15 ppm; diet 2, basal, 15 ppm Zn plus 2% CaHPO4; and diet 3, basal with added Zn, 67 ppm. Gross Zn deficiency symptoms were not observed, although spermat- ogenesis in cats fed diets 1 and 2 was abnormal. There were no differences in food intake or growth rate between treatments. Mean plasma zinc levels (/ig/ 100ml) forA§atsfed diets 1,2 and 3 were 55,47 and 89, respectively. In experiment 2, the SP was washed with EDTA. Ten 8-week-old kittens were fed the following diets for 14 weeks: diet 4, SP without Zn, 0.7 ppm Zn; diet 5, containing 52 ppm Zn; or diet 6, an amino acid diet, 4.8 ppm Zn. Mean food intakes (g/day) and weight gains (g/day) for cats fed diets 4, 5 and 6 were: 17.2, 0.4; 55.0, 19.5; and 31.5, 10.0, respectively. Mean plasma Zn levels (/Â?g/100ml) and liver Zn (ppm) for cats fed diets 4, 5 and 6 were: 34, 53.1; 89, 74.5; and 40, 40.0, respectively. Kittens fed diet 4 had poor coats characterized by thinning and slow hair growth and scaliness of the skin and ulcA©rationsof the buccal margins. The cat's requirement for zinc is probably between 15 ppm and 50 ppm. J. Nutr. 111: 488-495, 1981.