{"topic_id":"evidence_kitten_pediatric_growth_diet","category":"evidence","context":"---\ntopic_id: evidence_kitten_pediatric_growth_diet\ncategory: evidence\ntitle: \"Evidence cluster — kitten (pediatric) growth & development nutrition (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC + PubMed)\"\nlang: en\nsource_file: pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_kitten_pediatric_growth_diet_2026-07-22.txt\nsource: Europe PMC REST search (first-hand PMIDs) + PubMed efetch verbatim abstracts, pulled 2026-07-22\ndate_parsed: 2026-07-22\nmodel: codebuddy\nbatch: P0-EVIDENCE-7\nverified: 2026-07-22 substring_match 24/24 claims passed\npath: evidence/evidence_kitten_pediatric_growth_diet/01_kitten_pediatric_growth_diet.md\n---\n## Representative peer-reviewed studies (verbatim abstracts)\n\nThe following studies were retrieved from Europe PMC / PubMed and are reproduced verbatim. Interpretive synthesis is left to the API user.\n\n### PMID:42205797 — Cross-sectional analysis of feline gut microbiota reveals differences across age-defined groups under varying environments.\n- Source: Front Vet Sci 2026\n1. Front Vet Sci. 2026 May 12;13:1775401. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1775401. \neCollection 2026.\n\nCross-sectional analysis of feline gut microbiota reveals differences across \nage-defined groups under varying environments.\n\nWang Y(#)(1), Chen Z(#)(2), Hua C(1), Mao J(3), Geng W(4), Feng X(1), Ye S(1), \nSong S(1), Wang H(5)(6), Wang X(2), Lin L(1).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)MetaHealth Technology (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China.\n(2)College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, \nZhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China.\n(3)New Ruipeng Pet Healthcare Group, Beijing, China.\n(4)Mei Lian Zhong He Veterinary Referral Center, Beijing, China.\n(5)Center for Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Zhejiang \nUniversity, Hangzhou, China.\n(6)Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang \nUniversity, Hangzhou, China.\n(#)Contributed equally\n\nThe gut microbiome plays a critical role in host health; however, its variation \nacross age groups in domestic cats (Felis catus) remains unclear. This study \ncharacterized differences in the feline gut microbiota using 16S rRNA gene \nsequencing in 83 cats across five age-defined groups under varying environments: \nPre-weaning (1.5 months, n = 16), Early kitten (3 months, n = 16), Late kitten \n(6-10 months, n = 15), Young adult (2 years, n = 20), and Mature adult \n(7-10 years, n = 16). Significant differences in microbial diversity and \ncomposition were observed across groups. Alpha-diversity was lowest in \nPre-weaning kittens, peaking in Young adults, and declining in Mature adults. \nBeta-diversity revealed distinct clustering among groups (PERMANOVA, R 2 = 0.33, \np = 0.001). Sensitivity analysis excluding the heterogeneous Mature adult group \nshowed consistent patterns and increased the explanatory power of age (R \n2 = 0.48). At the taxonomic level, Pre-weaning microbiota were enriched in \nProteobacteria, particularly Escherichia-Shigella. Following weaning, the \nrelative abundance of Negativibacillus increased, whereas Lactobacillus \ndecreased. Bifidobacterium was more abundant in kitten stages, while \nFaecalibacterium exhibited higher abundance in Young adults. These patterns were \ngenerally consistent in sensitivity analyses. In contrast, the Mature adult \ngroup exhibited reduced Prevotella and increased Escherichia-Shigella relative \nto Young adults. Overall, this cross-sectional study identified compositional \ndifferences in the feline gut microbiota across age-defined groups under varying \nenvironments. These findings should be interpreted as group-level associations \nrather than independent age effects. Further controlled and longitudinal studies \nare needed to disentangle these effects.\n\nCopyright © 2026 Wang, Chen, Hua, Mao, Geng, Feng, Ye, Song, Wang, Wang and Lin.\n\nDOI: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1775401\nPMCID: PMC13205103\nPMID: 42205797\n\nConflict of interest statement: JM was employed by company New Ruipeng Pet \nHealthcare Group. YW, LL, CH, XF, SS, and SY are employees of MetaHealth \nTechnology Co., Ltd. The remaining author(s) declared that this work was \nconducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could \nbe construed as a potential conflict of interest.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Front Vet Sci 2026\n1. Front Vet Sci. 2026 May 12;13:1775401. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1775401. \neCollection 2026.\n\nCross-sectional analysis of feline gut microbiota reveals differences across\n\n### PMID:42450773 — Association Between Dietary Regimen and Renal Function Parameters in African Pygmy Hedgehogs (<i>Atelerix albiventris</i>).\n- Source: Animals (Basel) 2026\n1. Animals (Basel). 2026 Jul 4;16(13):2066. doi: 10.3390/ani16132066.\n\nAssociation Between Dietary Regimen and Renal Function Parameters in African \nPygmy Hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris).\n\nSpariosu K(1), Pešić A(2), Nešić K(3), Brozić D(4), Francuski Andrić J(1), \nVejnović B(5), Vučićević M(2).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of \nBelgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.\n(2)Department of Equine, Small Animal, Poultry and Wild Animal Diseases, Faculty \nof Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.\n(3)Institute of Veterinary Medicine of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.\n(4)Center for Animal Nutrition and Welfare, University of Veterinary Medicine \nVienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.\n(5)Department of Economics and Statistics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, \nUniversity of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.\n\nAfrican pygmy hedgehogs (APHs) are increasingly kept as companion animals, yet \nevidence-based nutritional recommendations for this species remain limited. \nCommercial cat or kitten diets are still commonly used by owners and \nveterinarians in practice, despite being formulated exclusively for domestic \ncats rather than for hedgehogs with omnivorous-insectivorous feeding habits. \nThis cross-sectional study evaluated the association between dietary regimen and \nserum biochemical parameters associated with renal function in APHs. Blood \nsamples were collected from 19 client-owned APHs aged 12-68 months: 10 hedgehogs \nfed a commercial kitten diet and 9 fed a commercial APH-specific diet. Serum \nconcentrations of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, phosphorus, and calcium were \nmeasured, and the nutritional composition of the two diets was compared using \nmanufacturer declarations and targeted laboratory analyses. Hedgehogs fed the \ncommercial kitten diet had significantly higher serum blood urea nitrogen (p = \n0.0133), creatinine (p = 0.0279), and phosphorus (p = 0.0279) concentrations \nthan those fed the APH-specific diet, whereas serum calcium concentrations did \nnot differ significantly (p = 0.3846). These differences occurred despite \nsimilar dietary phosphorus content, while the commercial kitten diet had higher \ndeclared fat and lower fiber content. The findings suggest that dietary regimen \nmay be associated with alterations in renal biochemical profiles in APHs and \nsupport the use of species-appropriate diets in clinical practice.\n\nDOI: 10.3390/ani16132066\nPMCID: PMC13359718\nPMID: 42450773\n\nConflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest. \nThe funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, \nor interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision \nto publish the results.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Animals (Basel) 2026\n1. Animals (Basel). 2026 Jul 4;16(13):2066. doi: 10.3390/ani16132066.\n\nAssociation Between Dietary Regimen and Renal Function Parameters in African \nPygmy Hedgehogs (Atel\n\n### PMID:41375563 — A Dietary Supplement Containing Nucleotides, Oligosaccharides, Vitamin E and β-Carotene Promotes Immune Response and Gut Microbiota Changes in Kittens.\n- Source: Animals (Basel) 2025\n1. Animals (Basel). 2025 Dec 4;15(23):3504. doi: 10.3390/ani15233504.\n\nA Dietary Supplement Containing Nucleotides, Oligosaccharides, Vitamin E and \nβ-Carotene Promotes Immune Response and Gut Microbiota Changes in Kittens.\n\nJoly W(1), Harrison M(2), Laxalde J(1), Gaillard V(1).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)Royal Canin Research Center, 650 Avenue de la Petite Camargue, 30470 \nAimargues, France.\n(2)Waltham Petcare Science Institute, Mars Petcare, Waltham on the Wolds, Melton \nMowbray, Leicestershire LE14 4RT, UK.\n\nKittens are born with some maternally derived antibodies (MDA) that, together \nwith maternal gut microbiota, bring some form of early defense against \npathogens. However, this protection declines and the rapid changes and \nchallenges the kitten typically encounters can adversely affect their health. \nNutrition can modulate the immune system and gut microbiota, offering a boost to \nprotection following weaning. This controlled, randomized, double-blinded study \ntests a dietary supplement containing nucleotides, oligosaccharides, vitamin E \nand β-carotene in 50 domestic short-haired kittens. Control kittens were fed \nstandard, dry kitten diet whilst test kittens received the same diet with \nsupplement for 52 weeks. Kittens received routine vaccinations and blood samples \nwere collected throughout the study for standard hematology, serum antibodies \nand cytokine expression. Rectal fecal samples were analyzed for gut microbiota \nvia 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Supplemented kittens showed significantly improved \nantibody response to Chlamydia vaccine at various timepoints versus controls, \nwith no consistent effects of supplementation on responses to other vaccines. \nSeveral cytokines were significantly influenced by the supplement, which also \nsignificantly altered gut microbiota diversity. In conclusion, a dietary \nsupplement was shown to promote immune response and gut microbiota changes in \nkittens and may help to support a healthy transition into adulthood.\n\nDOI: 10.3390/ani15233504\nPMCID: PMC12691447\nPMID: 41375563\n\nConflict of interest statement: W.J., M.H., J.L. and V.G. were employees of Mars \nPetcare during the study. Mars Petcare is a manufacturer of pet food and \nprovider of veterinary services. There was no role of the company in the choice \nof research project; the design of the study; the collection, analysis, or \ninterpretation of data; the writing of the manuscript; or the decision to \npublish the results.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Animals (Basel) 2025\n1. Animals (Basel). 2025 Dec 4;15(23):3504. doi: 10.3390/ani15233504.\n\nA Dietary Supplement Containing Nucleotides, Oligosaccharides, Vitamin E and \nβ-Carotene Promotes I\n\n### PMID:42121727 — Neonatal Gut Microbiota in Puppies and Kittens: From Maternal Transmission to Immune Development.\n- Source: Animals (Basel) 2026\n1. Animals (Basel). 2026 Apr 24;16(9):1307. doi: 10.3390/ani16091307.\n\nNeonatal Gut Microbiota in Puppies and Kittens: From Maternal Transmission to \nImmune Development.\n\nRodríguez-Trujillo R(1), Batista-Arteaga M(1), Isupova K(1), Alonso-Santana \nS(1), Acosta-Urbano A(2), Lucas-Arjona X(2), Déniz-Suárez S(3).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)Unit of Reproduction, Universitary Institute of Biomedical Research and \nHealth, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Transmontaña s/n 35413, 35413 \nArucas, Las Palmas, Spain.\n(2)Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, \nUniversity of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain.\n(3)Veterinary Infectious Diseases and Ichthyopathology, Veterinary School, \nUniversity of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain.\n\nNeonatal puppies and kittens face a critical period after birth, during which \ntheir health depends heavily on the microorganisms they acquire from their \nmothers and environment. These microorganisms, known as the gut microbiota, help \nnewborns develop their immune systems, digest nutrients, and protect against \ndisease. This review explores how these microorganisms are transferred from the \nmother to her offspring before, during, and after birth, including the process \nof delivery, nursing, and maternal care. It also examines how factors such as \nbirth type, hygiene, feeding, and maternal health can influence the development \nof these microbial communities. When this process is disrupted, it may lead to \nhealth problems such as infections, diarrhea, and immune disorders. \nUnderstanding how and when these microbes are passed to newborns, and how to \nsupport this process, is essential to improving survival rates and long-term \nhealth in puppies and kittens.\n\nDOI: 10.3390/ani16091307\nPMCID: PMC13162680\nPMID: 42121727\n\nConflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Animals (Basel) 2026\n1. Animals (Basel). 2026 Apr 24;16(9):1307. doi: 10.3390/ani16091307.\n\nNeonatal Gut Microbiota in Puppies and Kittens: From Maternal Transmission to \nImmune Development.\n\n### PMID:41897886 — Nutritional Evaluation of Commercial Dog and Cat Foods Based on Key Nutrient Requirements.\n- Source: Animals (Basel) 2026\n1. Animals (Basel). 2026 Mar 13;16(6):909. doi: 10.3390/ani16060909.\n\nNutritional Evaluation of Commercial Dog and Cat Foods Based on Key Nutrient \nRequirements.\n\nCho HW(1), Lee MY(1), Lee WD(1), Lee SY(1), Kim KH(2), So KM(1).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)Animal Welfare Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural \nDevelopment Administration, Wanju 55365, Republic of Korea.\n(2)Academic-Industrial Cooperation Organization, Sunchon National University, \nSuncheon 57922, Republic of Korea.\n\nThis study evaluated the nutritional adequacy of commercial dog and cat foods in \nSouth Korea by comparing analytically determined nutrient contents with \nrecommended nutrient levels of the National Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) \nand the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). A total of 96 \npet food products for puppies (n = 50), adult dogs (n = 18), kittens (n = 17), \nand adult cats (n = 11) were collected. Nutrients, including crude protein, \ncrude fat, essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, major minerals, and \nselected trace nutrients, were analyzed using accredited methods stipulated by \nthe Korean Feed Control Act and compared with NIAS and AAFCO recommendations. \nMost adult dog and cat diets met recommended nutrient levels; however, \ndeficiencies were identified in diets intended for growth. Puppy foods showed \ninadequate levels of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA + DHA, \n72%), calcium (22%), and phosphorus (42%), as well as imbalanced \ncalcium-to-phosphorus ratios (12%). In kitten diets, insufficient EPA + DHA \n(41.2%) and taurine (11.8%) were observed. In contrast, 82.3% of products met \nlabel-declared guaranteed analysis values for seven mandatory nutrients. These \nresults provide baseline information on the nutritional adequacy and labeling \ncompliance of pet foods across different life stages.\n\nDOI: 10.3390/ani16060909\nPMCID: PMC13023309\nPMID: 41897886\n\nConflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Animals (Basel) 2026\n1. Animals (Basel). 2026 Mar 13;16(6):909. doi: 10.3390/ani16060909.\n\nNutritional Evaluation of Commercial Dog and Cat Foods Based on Key Nutrient \nRequirements.\n\nCho HW(\n\n### PMID:40506415 — Acute onset neurological deficits and hypocalcaemia associated with nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism in three juvenile servals (Leptailurus serval).\n- Source: Aust Vet J 2025\n1. Aust Vet J. 2025 Nov;103(11):767-774. doi: 10.1111/avj.13458. Epub 2025 Jun\n12.\n\nAcute onset neurological deficits and hypocalcaemia associated with nutritional \nsecondary hyperparathyroidism in three juvenile servals (Leptailurus serval).\n\nAusten JL(1), Wheelahan JW(2), O'Dwyer J(2), Beths S(2), Rourke NL(2), Gardner \nBR(2).\n\nAuthor information:\n(1)Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of \nSydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.\n(2)Werribee Open Range Zoo, Veterinary Hospital, Zoos Victoria, Werribee, \nVictoria, Australia.\n\nNutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism is a metabolic disorder caused by an \nimbalance in calcium homeostasis and is typically associated with the feeding of \na calcium-deficient diet. Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism has been \nreported in domestic species, including cats and dogs, as well as captive \ncarnivores and wildlife including lions, tigers, servals and skunks. Captive \ncarnivores are typically fed a raw-meat diet, which can be severely deficient in \ncalcium if not appropriately balanced or supplemented. Three juvenile servals \n(Leptailurus serval) presented with seizures, ataxia and neuromuscular deficits. \nOne serval was euthanased due to the severity of clinical signs. Another serval \nsuffered a seizure, aspirated and arrested while in care. Both animals had \nhypocalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia. Radiographic signs of osteopaenia, \nclinical pathology and dietary history supported a diagnosis of nutritional \nsecondary hyperparathyroidism. A third serval, which developed a pathological \nfracture, was successfully managed with dietary correction and cage confinement. \nThis report describes this presentation of nutritional secondary \nhyperparathyroidism with seizures and the diagnostic process used to rule out \nother causes of neurological signs for this litter with an incomplete \nvaccination schedule and recent history of weaning and interstate transport.\n\n© 2025 The Author(s). Australian Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & \nSons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Veterinary Association.\n\nDOI: 10.1111/avj.13458\nPMCID: PMC12586306\nPMID: 40506415 [Indexed for MEDLINE]\n\nConflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest or \nsources of funding for the work presented here.\n- Abstract (verbatim excerpt): \nJOURNAL:Aust Vet J 2025\n1. Aust Vet J. 2025 Nov;103(11):767-774. doi: 10.1111/avj.13458. Epub 2025 Jun\n12.\n\nAcute onset neurological deficits and hypocalcaemia associated with nutritional \nsecondary\n\n","sources":[],"tokens_estimated":3099,"generated_at":null,"tip":"Use /api/v1/topics to discover more topics. /api/v1/nutrient for precise single-point queries. /api/v1/cross_compare for 2-3 standard comparisons."}