Owner and Cat-Related Risk Factors for Feline Overweight or Obesity

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.

Risk factors associated with canine overweightness and obesity in an owner-reported survey

“…One novel finding of our study is the association between increased BCS and the consumption of dry food, which has previously been observed in cats (19,20) but not in dogs (3,11). Specifically, we found that, compared to fresh food, dry food is significantly associated with overweightness/obesity, both alone and in combination with canned or fresh food.…”

Beloved Whiskers: Management Type, Care Practices and Connections to Welfare in Domestic Cats

“…Conversely, owners reporting outdoor management were more likely to characterize their cats with the standard score. This result corroborated previous studies indicating that indoor cats were frequently associated with obesity, given the lack of stimulation and environmental predictability, which leads to a lower level of physical activity [22,23,43]. Another possible explanation could be that owners of indoor cats provided more treats as gifts, since they reported buying things for the cat more frequently, including sachets and snacks, in addition to toys, beds, or other gifts.…”

“…Furthermore, it might lead to fear and anxiety, behavioral problems, and conflicts with conspecifics in multi-cat indoor environments [20,51,[66][67][68]. Other risks for cats kept exclusively indoors are obesity and domestic accidents [22,23,43]. In turn, whereas an extensive management style should present some benefits by stimulating natural behaviors, it also might impose risks if the care practices and necessity of protection are not considered.…”

“…Outdoor cats might also impact the welfare of other animals, as wildlife due to predation [17,18], and niche overlap with wild carnivores [19]. Maintaining cats exclusively indoors has been associated with behavioral problems [8,20,21], obesity [22], fights (in multi-cat houses) [4], and accidents, including burns and intoxication with cleaning products [23]. Regarding the benefits, outdoor management might promote more mental stimulation, reduce boredom and frustration of a predictable environment, and stimulate more physical activities [23,24].…”

The Genetic Basis of Obesity and Related Metabolic Diseases in Humans and Companion Animals

“…Estimates suggest 12-63% of pet cats are overweight or obese [2,[142][143][144][145][146][147]. Feline obesity is associated with multiple comorbidities, most notably diabetes mellitus and hepatic lipidosis [143,[148][149][150][151][152][153].…”