Atkins, Lizzie

Sharp, Emily

English

Hartpury University Repository

INTRODUCTIONThe domestic cat is one of the most popular pets in the United Kingdom; however, there are still many owners with differing views on how best to keep them. The decision on whether to allow a cat outdoor access to roam or to keep them confined indoors appears to be largely based upon personal preference. Some owners believe that allowing their cats outside exposes them to potentially avoidable risks, where others believe it is unnatural to confine a cat to a life indoors.Veterinary Nursing Research Group, Hartpury University Centre, Gloucester, UK, GL19 3BE.Contact author:  emilyesharp@yahoo.co.ukMETHODSAn online questionnaire, via Typeform®, wasdistributed widely across the United Kingdom throughsocial media websites such as Facebook and onlineforums, for example “CatChat”, with participationentirely voluntary.The survey was aimed at cat owners within theUnited Kingdom. It was designed to gain anunderstanding into owner opinions and reasons fortheir chosen method of lifestyle for their cat.The questionnaire was made up of open and closedquestions and took a multimodal research approach.An initial pilot study was carried out to highlight anypotential problems prior to commencement andethical guidelines regarding anonymity andrespondent age were adhered to.Descriptive statistics were formulated from responsesand content analysis was carried out by theresearcher to identify key themes within the data.A Comparative Study on the Nature of Visits to the Veterinary Practice by Indoor-Only Cats Versus Free Roaming Pet CatsEmily Sharp and Lizzie AtkinsRESULTSA total of 91 respondents completed the survey, andof those, 58% (n=52) of owners allowed their catsfree access outside, 30% (n=32) kept their catsindoors, and the remaining 12% (n=13) allowedoutdoor access only with supervision. Only 1% (n=1)of these owners stated that they discussed theirdecision with members of a veterinary team.Results found that almost 50% of the cats allowedoutside had visited a veterinary practice for treatmentof an injury obtained whilst outdoors, the mostcommon injury being a cat bite abscess (50%),followed by road traffic accidents (17%).Responses for indoor-only cats highlighted severalmedical conditions commonly associated withinactivity or obesity, such as diabetes. Interestingly,there was very little difference between thecategories of cat lifestyle and the overall medicalconditions diagnosed, 15% for outdoor, 19% forindoor and 18% for those supervised outside.CONCLUSIONSThe study may suggest that those cats with outdoor access are not necessarily medically healthier than indoor-only cats; however, they are more likely to experience veterinary intervention for injury.Veterinary practices could be doing more to educate owners on the advantages and disadvantages of both indoor-only and outdoor access of cats. Owner education on these benefits and drawbacks could help owners to identify potential issues before they become more serious, contributing to the overall health and welfare of owned cats.Research objective: to provide the veterinary industry with evidence-based knowledge to support their important rolein educating owners of considerations towards the chosen lifestyle for their pet cat. 5327110102030405060Yes No Yes, but only with supervision5822245905101520253035404550Indoor-only cats Cats allowed outside Cats allowed outside withsupervisionYes No111111211111110 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5Bladder crystalsOverweightAnkylosisAllergiesDiabetesDental plaqueCKD and FLUTDHeart murmurPKDChronic constipationCats allowed outside with supervision Cats allowed outside Indoor-only catsFigure 1.0: ‘Do you allow your cat outside?’Figure 2.0: ‘Does your cat have a medical condition?’Figure 3.0 Medical conditions affecting cats424123291005101520253035Indoor-only cats Cats allowed outside Cats allowed outside withsupervisionYes No121614121211121110 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Cat bite abcessCat bite abcess resulting inamputationSuspected RTAAllergic reaction tosomething outsideInjury from cat fightLaryngitisAttacked by animal (fox ordog)Cat bite abcess and sprainedlimbMultiple cat bite abcessesMultiple RTAs and dogattackMultiple cat bite abcessesand fight injuriesMutliple cat bite abcessesand climbing injuryCat fight injury and grassstuck in throatPoisoningCats allowed outside with supervision Cats allowed outside Indoor-only catsFigure 4.0: ‘Has your cat ever sustained an injury requiring veterinary treatment as a direct result of being outside?’Figure 5.0: Injuries from outside requiring treatment

A Comparative Study on the Nature of Visits to the Veterinary Practice by Indoor-Only Cats Versus Free Roaming Pet Cats

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A Comparative Study on the Nature of Visits to the Veterinary Practice by Indoor-Only Cats Versus Free Roaming Pet Cats

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