Tuna fish diet influences cat behavior. [Elevated levels of selenium and mercury in commercial tuna fish cat food]

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15287398809531150· OSTI ID:7090402

Houpt, K A; Essick, L A; Shaw, E B; Alo, D K; Gilmartin, J E; Gutenmann, W H; Littman, C B; Lisk, D J

When observed in their home cages, cats fed commercial tuna fish cat food were less active, vocalized less, and spent more time on the floor and more time eating than cats fed commercial beef cat food. There were no differences in response to human handling between the two groups. There were no differences in learning ability on a two-choice point maze or in reversal learning in the same maze between beef- and tuna-fed cats. The behavior of the groups differed in a 15-min open field test only in the number of toys contacted. Cats fed the tuna had elevated tissue levels of mercury and selenium.

• Research Organization: Cornell Univ., New York, NY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7090402
• Journal Information: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 24:2; ISSN JTEHD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL FEEDS
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BEHAVIOR
BIOASSAY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CATS
CONTAMINATION
DIET
ELEMENTS
FISHES
FOOD
MAMMALS
MERCURY
METALS
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
VERTEBRATES