Recipes for home-prepared diets were devised to meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutrient profiles (2016) for adult dogs during the maintenance phase. Calculated values were analyzed using nutrient calculation software, and actual nutrient values after cooking, measured by chemical component analysis, were compared with the AAFCO nutrient profiles. Three recipes were prepared, and the calculated nutrient values for two of the three recipes met the AAFCO nutrient standards. All three recipes met the protein and fat standards. However, some recipes were deficient in calcium (Ca), vitamin B₂, and α-tocopherol, and excessive in vitamin D. No recipe satisfied all nutrient standards. Among the compared nutrients, Ca was particularly prone to deficiency, and thus, it is important to consider the selection of Ca sources and the cooking methods. Some vitamins also tended to be deficient or in excess. Animal food is the main source of vitamins. Therefore, the vitamin content of each animal source might differ from that of the growth environment, such as the feedstuff used during breeding. In summary, we prepared three home-prepared recipes that met the AAFCO nutrient profiles (2016). However, some nutrients in the prepared recipes did not meet the AAFCO nutrient profiles (2016). It is necessary to devise new recipes and consider alternative ingredients for nutrient sources, such as Ca and some vitamins that are likely to be deficient or excessive.

In this study, we evaluated the lipid profile, focusing on the lipoprotein cholesterol levels, in healthy and obese cats that visited small animal hospital. We also assessed the lipoprotein cholesterol levels in a few cats with hyperlipidemia. Based on the values obtained in healthy cats, we established a standard reference standard range for all lipid parameters and used it to assess the levels in obese cats. Interestingly, our investigations revealed no significant difference in the lipoprotein cholesterol levels in healthy and obese cats, indicating that obesity in cats might not influence the total (T-CHO) and lipoprotein cholesterol levels. We believe that this might be due to the intrinsically high HDL levels in cats. However, T-CHO levels and the ratio of low to high-density lipoprotein (L/H ratio) were high in cats with hyperlipidemia, suggesting the L/H ratio imbalance due to increased LDL in these cats. We hope that the results of this study will be helpful in the event of abnormal lipid metabolism in cats.