Established at Bristol Vet School in 2010, the ‘Bristol Cats’ study is a pioneering study of cat health, welfare and behaviour run by vets, behaviourists and epidemiologists at the University of Bristol.
The aim is to improve knowledge of common feline diseases and behaviour disorders, for example, overgrooming, aggressive behaviour, obesity and diabetes mellitus.
Owners have been asked to complete a questionnaire when their cats are aged approximately:
- 8-16 weeks
- 6-7 months
- 12-13 months
- 18-19 months
- 2.5 years
- 4 years
- annually thereafter, subject to study funding.
Using the information provided by owners we can look to see to what extent certain characteristics or conditions are associated with the cat’s management (e.g. diet, lifestyle) and other factors.
Findings from the study can be used to improve the health and welfare of cats in the future, in the same way that the “children of the 90’s” study has helped our knowledge of childhood diseases.