Evaluation of cat and owner characteristics and their relationships to outdoor access of owned cats.
OBJECTIVE
To examine characteristics of cats and their owners with regard to outdoor access of owned cats.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
184 owned cats admitted to a veterinary referral center for nonemergency health concerns.


RESULTS
Cats acquired recently were less likely to be allowed outdoors than those acquired during previous years. Outdoor access was often limited during the day; few owners allowed their cats to remain outdoors at night. Cats acquired from shelters were more likely to be kept exclusively as indoor pets than those cats acquired as strays. The presence of dogs but not other cats in the household was associated with increased outdoor access. Age, health status, and onychectomy status were not significantly associated with outdoor access. Cats allowed outdoor access were more likely to have been bitten by other cats.


CONCLUSIONS
The basis for an owner's decision to allow outdoor access appears to be multifactorial, and there may be regional differences in outdoor access of owned cats. Acquisition source is associated with outdoor access of owned cats. Availability of information regarding outdoor access of cats may influence decision making. Educational efforts targeted at specific groups of cat owners, as well as programs that acknowledge owner beliefs regarding quality of life for their cats, may help to address the health, safety, and population concerns associated with outdoor access of owned cats.
Clancy
Elizabeth A
EA
Harrington Oncology Program, Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
Moore
Antony S
AS
Bertone
Elizabeth R
ER
D000367:Age Factors; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D002415:Cats / Q000601:surgery; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006724:Hoof and Claw / Q000601:surgery; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010067:Ownership; D011157:Population Dynamics