Aging in Cats: Owner Observations and Clinical Finding in 206 Mature Cats at Enrolment to the Cat Prospective Aging and Welfare Study
- PMID: 35445099
- PMCID: PMC9014291
- DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.859041
Aging in Cats: Owner Observations and Clinical Finding in 206 Mature Cats at Enrolment to the Cat Prospective Aging and Welfare Study
Abstract
Two hundred and six cats, aged between 7 and 10 years, from the North-west of the UK, were enrolled in a cat aging and welfare study to determine the frequency of age-related conditions and associations with husbandry, owner observations of physical appearance, activity and behavior. This is the largest study to date of mature cats that includes data from an owner questionnaire and clinical examinations. At enrolment, owners frequently reported physical changes (53%), behavioral changes (47%), changes to eating patterns (41%), and activity changes (40%) in their mature cats. On physical examination, 45% cats were in overweight condition and 12% were obese. A heart murmur was detected in 29% cats, whilst indirect systolic blood pressure (SBP) was >160 mmHg in 5% cats. Dental disease was present in 54% cats and was associated with a matted hair coat (P = 0.01), increased sleeping (P = 0.02), absence of gray hairs (P = 0.03), and increased irritability to other pets (P = 0.04). Abnormalities were evident in 58% of cats that allowed an orthopedic examination (OE) to be performed. These cats were older than cats with a normal OE (P = 0.01), and abnormal OE findings were associated with a matted coat (P = 0.03) and increased grooming (P = 0.04). Aazotaemia was present in 10% cats, and this was associated with cats being observed to "sniff their food and then walk away" (P = 0.04). Hyperthyroidism was diagnosed in 3% cats, who were older (P = 0.02), had a leaner BCS (P = 0.02) and lesser blood creatinine concentrations (P = 0.01). Hyperthyroid cats were also more likely to have increased liver enzyme activity and increased SBP (P = <0.001) compared with non-hyperthyroid cats. Of the 176 cats where all clinical assessments were conducted, only 12% had no evidence of any disease. Clinical abnormalities are commonly identified when thorough, clinical assessments are performed in mature pet cats visiting primary care practice.
Keywords: cat; dental; feline; mature; middle-aged; survey; welfare.
Copyright © 2022 Dowgray, Pinchbeck, Eyre, Biourge, Comerford and German.
Conflict of interest statement
At the time the study was performed, ND was undertaking a post-graduate studentship funded by Royal Canin, a division of Mars Petcare. Since October 2020, ND has been employed by International Cat Care, but also holds a part-time post-doctoral research position at the University of Liverpool, funded by Royal Canin. AG and KE are employees of the University of Liverpool whose positions are funded by Royal Canin. AG has also received financial remuneration and gifts for providing educational material, speaking at conferences, and consultancy work. VB is an employee of Royal Canin. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Similar articles
-
Early-life risk factors identified for owner-reported feline overweight and obesity at around two years of age.Prev Vet Med. 2017 Aug 1;143:39-48. doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.05.010. Epub 2017 May 16. Prev Vet Med. 2017. PMID: 28622790
-
Risk factors identified for owner-reported feline obesity at around one year of age: Dry diet and indoor lifestyle.Prev Vet Med. 2015 Oct 1;121(3-4):273-81. doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.07.011. Epub 2015 Jul 31. Prev Vet Med. 2015. PMID: 26265631
-
Positive attitudes towards feline obesity are strongly associated with ownership of obese cats.PLoS One. 2020 Jun 25;15(6):e0234190. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234190. eCollection 2020. PLoS One. 2020. PMID: 32584825 Free PMC article.
-
Aging in cats: Common physical and functional changes.J Feline Med Surg. 2016 Jul;18(7):533-50. doi: 10.1177/1098612X16649523. J Feline Med Surg. 2016. PMID: 27370392 Free PMC article. Review.
-
An ethical viewpoint: the role of veterinarians and behaviourists in ensuring good husbandry for cats.J Feline Med Surg. 2004 Feb;6(1):43-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2003.09.012. J Feline Med Surg. 2004. PMID: 15123165 Review.
Cited by
-
Drug release profile of a novel exenatide long-term drug delivery system (OKV-119) administered to cats.BMC Vet Res. 2024 May 18;20(1):211. doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-04051-6. BMC Vet Res. 2024. PMID: 38762728 Free PMC article.
-
Partial weight reduction protocols in cats lead to better weight outcomes, compared with complete protocols, in cats with obesity.Front Vet Sci. 2023 Jun 20;10:1211543. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1211543. eCollection 2023. Front Vet Sci. 2023. PMID: 37408831 Free PMC article.
-
Why can't we be friends? Exploring factors associated with cat owners' perceptions of the cat-cat relationship in two-cat households.Front Vet Sci. 2023 Mar 27;10:1128757. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1128757. eCollection 2023. Front Vet Sci. 2023. PMID: 37051515 Free PMC article.
-
Ultrasonographic monitoring of feline epaxial muscle height as part of an annual wellness examination to assess for the development of sarcopenia.J Feline Med Surg. 2023 Jan;25(1):1098612X221140081. doi: 10.1177/1098612X221140081. J Feline Med Surg. 2023. PMID: 36705955 Free PMC article.
-
2022 AAFP/ISFM Cat Friendly Veterinary Interaction Guidelines: Approach and Handling Techniques.J Feline Med Surg. 2022 Nov;24(11):1093-1132. doi: 10.1177/1098612X221128760. J Feline Med Surg. 2022. PMID: 36259500 Free PMC article.
References
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Miscellaneous