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

This study used data collected from al 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 overweight/obese (BCS 4–5) or not overweight (BCS 1–3).

Of the 6,835 respondents, 30.5% described their cat as overweight/obese. Low owner conscientiousness was associated with an increased risk of feline overweight/obesity and those with a preference for delayed reward was associated with a decreased risk. Other significant variables 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). The results of this study indicate that feline obesity is a complex problem, with many contributing risk factors.

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