Abstract
Neutering is a risk factor for obesity in companion animals. In a study to determine the total energy requirements of kittens (15-52 weeks) the impact of neutering and age when neutered on intake and body weight (BW) was investigated. Females (n 14), neutered when 19 (early neuter; EN) or 31 (conventional neuter; CN) weeks old (n 7/group), were individually fed to maintain an ideal body condition score (BCS). EN kittens gained weight gradually whilst CN kittens' BW gain slowed from week 24, weighing less than EN kittens from week 30 with a reduced energy intake (kcal/kg BW0·67) in weeks 24-32 (P < 0·05). Following neutering, CN cats' BW and energy intake increased rapidly (energy intake CN > EN in weeks 36-40). Although EN required earlier diet restriction, acute hyperphagia and increased rate of BW gain following neutering were not observed. Earlier neutering may aid healthy weight management through growth when regulating intake to maintain an ideal BCS.
Highlights
Neutering is a risk factor for obesity in companion animals
conventional neutering (CN) kittens’ body weight (BW) gain slowed from week 24, they weighed less from week 30 (P < 0·05) and had a lower energy intake between weeks 24 and 32 (significant in weeks 28, 30–32, P < 0·05; up to 32 kcal/kg BW0·67 (134 kJ/kg BW0·67) different in week 28)
Eleven had a body condition score (BCS) that required intake restriction at some stage and all cats in the study had an ideal BCS by week 46
Summary
Neutering is a risk factor for obesity in companion animals. In a study to determine the total energy requirements of kittens (15–52 weeks) the impact of neutering and age when neutered on intake and body weight (BW) was investigated. Stable body weight (BW) may be manageable in adult cats by feeding nutritionally complete diets near to this intake, adjusted by owners to their individual cat requirements by monitoring the body condition score (BCS), owners may seek advice on an age-appropriate intake through growth and sexual development. This is especially important, as evidence indicates that risk factors for being overweight as an adult include the rate of growth in ad libitum-fed cats[5], feeding a dry diet and restricted exercise at age 12·5–13 months[9]. Diet intake was reduced in 10 % increments with weekly review by the trained BCS panellists to assess progress, so in practice each cat was managed on an individual basis
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