The prevalence and risk factors for overweight and obesity in the Dutch domestic cat population

Abstract

A cross-sectional study design was used to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the dutch domestic cat population and to identify the risk factors for overweight and obesity in this population. Also, the owners ability to define their cats body condition score with the aid of a visual nine-point scale body condition score (BCS) chart was determined. Possible risk factors for overweight and obesity assessed in this study include age, gender, neuter status, diet, feeding regimen, housing and the owners perception of the body condition score. Owners who presented their cat to feline friendly first opinion veterinary practices throughout the Netherlands filled out a questionnair regarding these risk factors and assessed their cats body condition score using a validated visual nine-point scale body condition score chart. The researcher determined the cats body condition score using the same nine-point visual scale. Data were obtainded from 77 cats. The combined overweigh and obesity prevalence was 33.8% (n = 26). There was a fair agreement between the body condition score given by the owner and the researcher. Of the owners 39.0 % (n = 30) assigned their cat the correct BCS. The only significant risk factor associated with overweight and obesity in this study was the owners perception of the body condition score.