‘Bristol Cats’ study, growing from strength to strength!
What’s it all about?
The ‘Bristol Cats’ study is a ‘first of its kind’ study by the University of Bristol, investigating the health, welfare and behaviour of cats living in the UK. The study is taking place to help find the causes of common behaviour problems and diseases of cats - eg obesity & hyperthyroidism - as the causes of these conditions are poorly understood.
How is information collected?
Information is collected via four questionnaires when kittens are aged eight to16 weeks, six, 12 and 18 months of age. The data will be analysed to see what extent certain characteristics eg obesity are associated with management - eg diet, lifestyle and other factors eg breed.
What are the benefits?
The researchers aim to provide guidance to practitioners, owners and the cat community at large, to improve the health and welfare of cats. In order to do this, they need the help of kitten owners and hope to enrol 900 kittens by December 2011 to ensure robust statistical results.
Study progress to date...
Between March and September 2011, 588 kittens registered on the study – a fantastic response and thank you to everyone who has already enrolled! Not surprisingly, the most commonly registered cat breed was found to be the moggy/mixed breed/domestic short hair.
How to get involved:
Can you help by spreading the word to kitten owners, cat breeders or anyone with a kitten? If so, please contact the ‘Bristol Cat’ study team at the University of Bristol, using the details below, to request a poster to display and a supply of flyers to pass on to kitten owners.
Alternatively, if you have a kitten between eight and 16 weeks of age, please log-on to the study website and complete a questionnaire. The researchers are also keen to hear from owners of more than one kitten. Full details about the study can be found at www.vetschool.bris.ac.uk/cats, together with a link to the first questionnaire. Please also contact the team if you would prefer to receive a paper copy of the questionnaire in the post.
With grateful thanks for your help!
The ’Bristol Cats’ study team
Bristol Cats, Dr Jane Murray
University of Bristol
Tel: 07827 981412