Abstract

Feline obesity is a highly prevalent disease that poses an urgent and serious challenge. Attempted treatment by weight reduction is often unsuccessful; a new preventative approach that focuses on the role of the owner may be helpful. This study used data collected from an international survey of cat owners designed to assess owner personality and self-control, owner-pet attachment, feeding practices, and the cat's body condition. Owner-reported body condition scores (BCS) of cats were assessed using images adapted from a 5-point BCS system and categorized as a binary dependent variable: overweight/obese (BCS 4–5) and not overweight (BCS 1–3). Owner-reported BCS scores using a verbal BCS scale were also used as a binary dependent variable. Of the 6,835 respondents, 30.5% described their cat as overweight/obese using the visual BCS scale, and 32.5% using the verbal scale. Multivariable logistic regression models were built using stepwise-backward selection. A total of 8 variables were significant using the visual score as the dependent variable, while 11 variables were significant using the verbal score as the dependent variable (p < 0.05). Low owner conscientiousness was associated with an increased risk of feline overweight/obesity (OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.10–1.38), whereas preference for delayed reward was associated with a decreased risk (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.75–0.96). Contrary to expectation, indulgent (OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.53–0.91) and inconsistent (OR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.76–0.93) feeding practices appeared protective. Other significant variables (p < 0.05) included cat-related factors (age, gender, housing, source) and management-related factors (dry diet, supermarket dry diet, raw diet, stealing, hunting, and measuring food with a scoop). A third multivariable analysis was performed, using results from cats classified as overweight/obese using both scoring methods, compared with cats classified as a healthy weight using both scoring methods. A total of 10 variables were found to be significant (p < 0.05). There was significant overlap of results from all three analyses. The results of this study indicate that feline obesity is a complex problem, with many contributing risk factors. It is essential to recognize the importance of owner characteristics, and that the prevention of obesity in cats may require the development of a range of interventional strategies.

Highlights

  • Obesity is currently one of the greatest health and welfare problems facing domestic cats around the world

  • It was found that 16.0% of cats (n = 1,094) had discordant results with respect to the visual and verbal scales (Table 1)

  • Using visual body condition score (BCS) as the dependent variable, this study found owner preference for delayed reward to be associated with a decreased risk of feline obesity (Model 1: OR = 0.84, p = 0.005)

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Summary

Introduction

Obesity is currently one of the greatest health and welfare problems facing domestic cats around the world. Recently published studies suggest that in developed countries, anywhere from 11.5 to 63% of pet cats are overweight or obese [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. There are many reasons why an increased focus on obesity prevention in cats is critical. Risk Factors for Feline Obesity fails, with many cats either failing to lose weight, or to maintain a healthy weight [8, 9]. The consequences and costs of obesity are wellestablished in many species, and include the development of multiple associated diseases, reduced quality of life and a decrease in lifespan [12, 13]. A new approach to obesity prevention in cats is clearly needed

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