Plasma cholesterol levels in suckling and weaned kittens, puppies, and guinea pigs.

Plasma cholesterol levels in kittens and puppies were low at birth, rose during the suckling period, and then decreased at about the time of weaning. The increase during the suckling period was much greater in puppies than in kittens. No significant differences in plasma cholesterol levels were observed in puppies fed two different types of diet, horse meat or dog chow, after weaning. Guinea pigs had lower plasma cholesterols than either kittens or puppies. The level was highest on the first day after birth, decreased during the next 3 wk, and then remained fairly constant after the animals were weaned.