Limiting the range of polyenoic fatty acids available from purified diets affects the growth of domestic cats.

The cat is deficient in delta-6-desaturase, preventing its utilisation of the plant-derived essential fatty acids. The species circumvents this problem by eating non-felines capable of this process. Kittens were fed diets varying in the type of post delta-6-desaturation fatty acids (PDFA). Growth patterns and external signs monitored for a period of 270 days, after which metabolic rates were measured, blood samples taken and the animals killed for other analyses. Differences were demonstrated in growth and metabolic rates, and the liver fatty acid profiles, and these were dependent on both the nature and amount of the PDFA provided by the diets.