A cross-sectional study of risk factors for obesity in cats in New Zealand

Abstract

This study was done to identify risk factors for obesity in an urban cat population in New Zealand. A door-to-door survey (conducted within the city limits of Palmerston North) obtained information on the diet, health and behaviour of 202 cats. One hundred and eighty-two of these cats were weighed and their back and leg lengths were measured. The interviewer’s assessment of the body condition of each cat was the dependent variable used in this study. Variables that were identified as significant ( p≤0.1) following univariable analysis were grouped into one of the three models for stepwise logistic multiple regression (one each for cat characteristics, environmental and management variables and feeding variables). A combined logistic-regression analysis was performed on the significant variables identified from the three component models. In the combined model, only three variables were significant: the presence of dogs in a household (decreased odds of obesity), longer leg length and owners underestimating cats’ body condition (both increased odds).