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Cited by 91Veterinary Medicine and SurgeryObesity, Physical Activity, DietAnimal Behavior and Welfare Studies

Overweight in adult cats: a cross-sectional study

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Öhlund, Malin, Palmgren, Malin, Holst, Bodil Ström·2018·Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
DOI 10.1186/s13028-018-0359-7PMC PMC5775588
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Overweight in cats is a major risk factor for diabetes mellitus and has also been associated with other disorders. Overweight and obesity are believed to be increasing problems in cats, as is currently seen in people, with important health consequences. The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of overweight in cats from two different cohorts in a cross-sectional study design and to assess associations between overweight and diagnoses, and between overweight and demographic and environmental factors. Data were obtained from medical records for cats (n = 1072) visiting an academic medical center during 2013-2015, and from a questionnaire on insured cats (n = 1665). From the medical records, information on body condition score, breed, age, sex, neutering status, and diagnosis was obtained. The questionnaire included questions relating to the cat's body condition, breed, age, sex, neutering status, outdoor access, activity level, and diet. Data were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight was 45% in the medical records cohort and 22% in the questionnaire cohort, where owners judged their pet's body condition. Overweight cats in the medical records cohort were more likely to be diagnosed with lower urinary tract disease, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disease, skin disorders, locomotor disease, and trauma. Eating predominantly dry food, being a greedy eater, and inactivity were factors associated with an increased risk of overweight in the final model in the questionnaire cohort. In both cohorts, the Birman and Persian breeds, and geriatric cats, were less likely to be overweight, and male cats were more likely to be overweight. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of overweight cats (45%) as assessed by trained personnel was high and in the same range as previously reported. Birman and Persian cats had a lower risk of overweight. The association with dry food found in adult, neutered cats is potentially important because this type of food is commonly fed to cats worldwide, and warrants further attention. Drawbacks related to the study design need to be acknowledged when interpreting the results, such as a potential for selection bias for cats visiting an animal hospital, and an information bias for questionnaire data. The high occurrence of overweight in cats needs to be addressed because it negatively affects their health.

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  • Obese cats are at higher risk for developing urinary tract disease, diabetes mellitus, and neoplasia.

    “Obese cats are at higher risk for developing urinary tract disease, diabetes mellitus, and neoplasia [54,55].”

    From A One Health Perspective on the Human-Companion Animal Relationship with Emphasis on Zoonotic Aspects. (2020) · cites this paper as [55]

    The Background (page not provided) identifies diabetes mellitus as a risk factor associated with overweight or obesity, links them to lower urinary tract disease, and reports an increased prevalence of certain cancers. But the Discussion says the cross-sectional study cannot establish whether excess weight precedes disease. The claim’s wording, “developing,” implies a temporal risk the study cannot establish, and its unqualified reference to neoplasia is broader than the paper’s statement about certain types of cancer. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Authors
Öhlund, M., Palmgren, M., & Holst, B. S.
Affiliations
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SE)
Corresponding author
Öhlund, Malin
ORCID
Venue
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2018-01-19
Volume
60
Issue
1
Pages
5-5
ISSN
  • 0044-605X (ISSN-L)
  • 1751-0147
DOI
10.1186/s13028-018-0359-7
PMC
PMC5775588
OpenAlex
W2789982517
Cited by
91
References
4
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 4
FWCI
12.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Acta veterinaria Scandinavica (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet
  • Agria Djurförsäkring
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
Keywords
feline obesity, overweight cats, prevalence, body condition score, diabetes mellitus, lower urinary tract disease, breed differences, Persian cat, geriatric cats, activity level, risk factors
MeSH terms
Animals, Cat Diseases, Cats, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Prevalence, Logistic Models, Overweight

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