Owner and cat features influence the quality of life of the cat
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2005 |
Authors: |
S. Adamelli, L. Marinelli, S. Normando, G. Bono |
Publication/Journal: |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Keywords: |
animal interactions, behavioral problems, behavioural problems, cat, human, quality life, quality of life |
ISBN: |
01681591 |
Abstract:
This study analysed the cathuman relationship paying attention to the quality of life (QoL) of 62 cats. QoL was assessed as being low, medium and high, using: (1) four questionnaires which investigated care, cat behaviour, cat and owner features, (2) a simple physical examination of the cat and (3) the Lexington attachment to pets scale (LAPS) test. The investigation revealed a medium QoL for about 87.2% of the pets. Although most of the cats received a good quality of care and were in good physical condition, only 16.1% did not showabnormal behaviour. The level of QoL results to be influenced by the cohabitation with conspecifics. The level of care given to the cat is greatly influenced by the gender, the education, the previous experience, the real ownership, the number of friends and of emotional bonds of the owner to people and by the gonadectomy (P < 0.05). The cat behaviour depends mainly on the features of the owner (age; gender; number of family members and of friends; who looks after the cat, P < 0.05; presence of children, P < 0.01) and less of the cat (gonadectomy, P < 0.05; cohabitation with other cats, P < 0.01). Also the physical condition results influenced by gonadectomy (P < 0.01). Finally the attachment level of the owner to the cat depends on the number of the owner emotional bonds and on the age of adoption of the cat (P < 0.05). All the condition analysed result to be influenced more by the owners features than by the cats ones. Moreover the significant cats features are those which strictly depend on the owners choices and wills, such as gonadectomy, age of adoption and cohabitation with other cats.