Overweight is common in cats and has health and welfare implications. This study aimed to assess potential predictive/protective factors for feline overweight associated with owner management and their relationship with cat behavior and welfare. A questionnaire was administered to 197 owners to collect information about cat demographics, management, environment, dietary habits and behavior. The feline Body Mass Index was recorded for each cat. Univariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of parameters with overweight cats. Variables with a p-value < 0.10 at univariable analyses were selected for the multivariable model. Most cats were mixed- breed, 1–7 years old and neutered; 51.3% were overweight. Age higher than 7 years, neutering, being alone all day and being stressed were predictive for overweight (p < 0.05). Conversely, the presence of other animals had a protective effect (p < 0.05). A general disagreement between owners’ perception and clinical evaluation of cats’ body condition was a common and significant risk factor for overweight (OR = 8.532, 95% CI = 4.073–17.875; p < 0.001). According to the owners, many veterinarians did not inform them about their cat being overweight nor about the risks (p < 0.001). This study provides helpful information on the influence of management and environment on cats’ body condition and its relationship with cat welfare.

中文翻译：

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生活在意大利城市地区的家猫超重：新出现的福利问题的风险因素

超重在猫中很常见，对健康和福利有影响。本研究旨在评估与主人管理相关的猫超重的潜在预测/保护因素及其与猫行为和福利的关系。对 197 位主人进行了问卷调查，以收集有关猫的人口统计、管理、环境、饮食习惯和行为的信息。记录每只猫的猫体重指数。单变量逻辑回归用于评估参数与超重猫的关联。带p 的变量为多变量模型选择单变量分析中的 -value < 0.10。大多数猫是混种猫，1-7 岁且已绝育；51.3% 的人超重。年龄超过 7 岁、绝育、整天独处和压力大是超重的预测因素 ( p < 0.05)。相反，其他动物的存在具有保护作用（p < 0.05）。主人对猫身体状况的看法和临床评估之间的普遍分歧是超重的常见且重要的危险因素（OR = 8.532，95% CI = 4.073–17.875；p < 0.001）。据主人说，许多兽医没有告诉他们他们的猫超重，也没有告诉他们风险（p< 0.001)。这项研究提供了有关管理和环境对猫身体状况的影响及其与猫福利关系的有用信息。