Evaluating captive tigers' dietary nutrient supply

Abstract

Although the cat remains the best model to use for feeding captive tigers, the standard values given by the different associations regarding the nutrient requirements for cats cannot be used directly for tigers kept in zoos, because of the different approach of their feeding programs. Although both tigers and cats are true carnivores and neither requires carbohydrates in their diets, the types of food and diet constituents fed to domestic cats and those fed to captive tigers also differ. While many cat foods contain less animal protein and more carbohydrate and/or plant-based proteins and this is more affordable for the manufacturers, tigers usually receive prey-type meats in captivity and full animal carcasses in the wild. They will not ingest high levels of carbohydrates and only eat plant-based proteins that are in the intestines of the prey consumed. Further research which examines the domestic cat model for use in non-domestic cats and/or research to determine the exact nutrient requirements of the tiger in order to keep improving and obtaining optimal health and conservation of this endangered species would be recommended.