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Overweight cats: prevalence and risk factors
J M Scarlett1, S Donoghue, J Saidla
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853.
Summary
Over 2000 cats were assessed for body condition, with veterinarians finding 25% overweight. Factors like apartment living and inactivity were linked to feline obesity.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary medicine
- Animal health
- Companion animal science
Background:
- Feline obesity is a growing concern in companion animals.
- Understanding contributing factors is crucial for preventative strategies.
- Accurate body condition assessment is key in veterinary practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of overweight cats in private veterinary hospitals.
- To identify owner-reported and veterinarian-assessed factors associated with feline overweight status.
- To compare owner perceptions with veterinary assessments of cat body condition.
Main Methods:
- Body condition was evaluated for over 2000 cats across 31 veterinary hospitals.
- Owners completed questionnaires on potential contributing factors.
- Veterinarians provided assessments of cat body condition.
Main Results:
- Veterinarians identified 25% of cats as overweight (heavy or obese).
- Owners estimated 29% of their cats were overweight.
- Factors associated with being overweight included apartment dwelling, inactivity, middle age, male sex, neutering, mixed breeding, and specific diets.
Conclusions:
- A significant percentage of cats in the study population were overweight.
- Multiple lifestyle and demographic factors are associated with feline overweight status.
- Further research into dietary factors and preventative measures is warranted.