Abstract
Simple SummarySelective breeding of domestic cats (Felis catus) has resulted in a variety of temperaments, body shapes, facial features and, in particular, coat types and colours. There are now over 70 recognised cat breeds, created over 150 years. Many cat owners select their cat for features that appeal to them, so cat breeders primarily focus on these aesthetic traits, changing cat features to their concept of beauty or appeal. Unfortunately, these changes can impact heavily upon cat health and welfare, as inbreeding and breeding for extreme physical conformations has become prevalent. Particular concern focuses on brachycephalic (BC) cats with wide flat faces (e.g., Persians and Exotic Shorthairs). Using a questionnaire for cat owners, we identified marked differences in how owners went about acquiring their cats when we compared owners of BC cats, pedigree (P), (but not BC) cats and non-pedigree (NP) cats; 1367 responses (BC n = 85, P n = 400, NP n = 882). Owners of BC cats were less likely to undertake significant research before buying their cat (e.g., not looking into management requirements or potential health problems associated with the BC face-shape and/or Persian coat) compared to P owners. Once owned, they did not consider their cat as healthy (especially related to eye and skin conditions) compared to P owners. BC owners were also less likely to recommend their breed to others, possibly reflecting poor health experiences and/or management issues.Background: Cats are globally popular pets and pedigree cats are increasingly prevalent, with brachycephalic breeds being the most registered breeds. How owners decide upon and acquire their cats is poorly understood. Moreover, there are growing concerns about the health and welfare of brachycephalic (BC) dogs and recent studies are raising the awareness of health and welfare problems in BC cats. Methods: An online survey investigated owners’ motivations, perceptions and behaviours prior to, during and following acquisition of non-pedigree (NP), extreme brachycephalic pedigree (BC; i.e., Persian and Exotic Shorthair) and mild to non-BC pedigree (P) cats. Results: The survey received 1367 valid responses (NP n = 882, P n = 400, BC n = 85 (6.2%)). There were marked differences between NP, P and BC owners’ perception of their cats’ health and welfare, reason(s) for acquisition and its process. Owners of NP were less influenced by appearance, behaviour and other features than P or BC owners. In contrast, P and BC owners were highly influenced by appearance, with P owners also placing greater importance on good breed health than BC owners. BC owners were less likely to recommend their breeds to prospective cat owners, apparently concerned by high maintenance requirements. Conclusion: Further research is needed to determine how decision-making is constructed and how it may be improved, especially in respect of welfare outcomes for extreme BC cats given the increased weighting given to appearance over health.
Highlights
Domestication of cats began ~10,000 years ago, with selection for cats having a more docile nature [1]; these notoriously shy solitary hunters had to adapt to living in close proximity with people, and with other cats [2,3,4]
Using a questionnaire for cat owners, we identified marked differences in how owners went about acquiring their cats when we compared owners of BC cats, pedigree (P), cats and non-pedigree (NP) cats; 1367 responses (BC n = 85, P n = 400, NP n = 882)
Marked differences between cat type/breed were identified in this study in relation to acquisition approaches and procedures, including NP owners being younger than P and BC owners, as well as more NP owners being first-time owners compared to P and BC owners
Summary
Domestication of cats began ~10,000 years ago, with selection for cats having a more docile nature [1]; these notoriously shy solitary hunters had to adapt to living in close proximity with people, and with other cats [2,3,4]. That have been artificially selected for a range of complex behaviours (such as herding sheep, guarding livestock and a variety of hunting behaviours), cat breeding has focused primarily on aesthetic traits [2,7]. This has resulted in different coat colours, patterns, textures and lengths, changing facial features and body shapes [1,6]. The breed standards, or ‘the standard of points of excellence and beauty’ that define each breed were introduced at the first modern cat show in London in 1871 [6] They are set by ‘cat fancy’ organisations, which are breed registration bodies involved in showing, promoting and breeding cats BC owners were less likely to recommend their breeds to prospective cat owners, apparently concerned by high
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