Demographics of Cats in the U.S.

Chu, K., W. M. Anderson, et al. (2009). "Population characteristics and neuter status of cats living in households in the United States." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 234(8): 1023-1030.

The objective of this study was to document the neuter status and identify demographic characteristics of cats living in the United States using a cross-sectional, random-digit-dial telephone survey. During April and May of 2007, 1205 adults in the continental U.S. were contacted. About 32% of the respondents had at least one cat at the time of the survey, yielding an estimated population of over 82 million cats living in about 37 million U.S. households. Eighty percent of the cats were reported as neutered. Of the female cats, about 82% had been neutered before having any litters. Annual family income was the strongest predictor of whether cats in the household were neutered, with only 51% of cats in households with annual family incomes less than $35,000 being neutered. This study did not attempt to gather data on stray and feral cats which represent an important part of the U.S. cat population. [SL]
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Related articles:
Murray, J. K., M. A. Roberts, et al. (2009). "Survey of the characteristics of cats owned by households in the UK and factors affecting their neutered status." Vet Rec 164(5): 137-41.
>> PubMed Abstract

Levy, J. K., J. E. Woods, et al. (2003). "Number of unowned free-roaming cats in a college community in the southern United States and characteristics of community residents who feed them." J Am Vet Med Assoc 223(2): 202-5.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Chu, K., W. M. Anderson, et al. (2009). "Population characteristics and neuter status of cats living in households in the United States." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 234(8): 1023-1030.

The objective of this study was to document the neuter status and identify demographic characteristics of cats living in the United States using a cross-sectional, random-digit-dial telephone survey. During April and May of 2007, 1205 adults in the continental U.S. were contacted. About 32% of the respondents had at least one cat at the time of the survey, yielding an estimated population of over 82 million cats living in about 37 million U.S. households. Eighty percent of the cats were reported as neutered. Of the female cats, about 82% had been neutered before having any litters. Annual family income was the strongest predictor of whether cats in the household were neutered, with only 51% of cats in households with annual family incomes less than $35,000 being neutered. This study did not attempt to gather data on stray and feral cats which represent an important part of the U.S. cat population. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Murray, J. K., M. A. Roberts, et al. (2009). "Survey of the characteristics of cats owned by households in the UK and factors affecting their neutered status." Vet Rec 164(5): 137-41.
>> PubMed Abstract

Levy, J. K., J. E. Woods, et al. (2003). "Number of unowned free-roaming cats in a college community in the southern United States and characteristics of community residents who feed them." J Am Vet Med Assoc 223(2): 202-5.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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Glucocorticoids and Cats

Lowe, A. D., K. L. Campbell, et al. (2008). "Glucocorticoids in the cat." Vet Dermatol 19(6): 340-7.

Some of the most common drugs prescribed in veterinary practice are glucocorticoids, due to their variety of therapeutic effects. Cats do not experience as many adverse effects with glucocorticoids as other species, such as humans and dogs. However, cats can experience adverse reactions, including skin atrophy and fragility, poor wound healing, and a predisposition to diabetes mellitus and possibly congestive heart failure. Steroid hepatopathy is less likely to occur in cats or is less detectable than in dogs. Prednisolone is the metabolically active drug preferred in cats. Studies have shown that time of day dosing is probably not as important in cats as in other species. Use of short to intermediate-acting glucocorticoids is preferable in case of adverse effects and the need for discontinuance of therapy. Use of repositrol glucocorticoids (such as methylprednisolone) should be reserved for situations where oral dosing is not possible. Care should be given to the use of glucocorticoids in cats at risk for diabetes mellitus or with pre-existing heart disease. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Lowe, A. D., K. L. Campbell, et al. (2008). "Clinical, clinicopathological and histological changes observed in 14 cats treated with glucocorticoids." Vet Rec 162(24): 777-83.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Lowe, A. D., K. L. Campbell, et al. (2008). "Glucocorticoids in the cat." Vet Dermatol 19(6): 340-7.

Some of the most common drugs prescribed in veterinary practice are glucocorticoids, due to their variety of therapeutic effects. Cats do not experience as many adverse effects with glucocorticoids as other species, such as humans and dogs. However, cats can experience adverse reactions, including skin atrophy and fragility, poor wound healing, and a predisposition to diabetes mellitus and possibly congestive heart failure. Steroid hepatopathy is less likely to occur in cats or is less detectable than in dogs. Prednisolone is the metabolically active drug preferred in cats. Studies have shown that time of day dosing is probably not as important in cats as in other species. Use of short to intermediate-acting glucocorticoids is preferable in case of adverse effects and the need for discontinuance of therapy. Use of repositrol glucocorticoids (such as methylprednisolone) should be reserved for situations where oral dosing is not possible. Care should be given to the use of glucocorticoids in cats at risk for diabetes mellitus or with pre-existing heart disease. [VT]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Lowe, A. D., K. L. Campbell, et al. (2008). "Clinical, clinicopathological and histological changes observed in 14 cats treated with glucocorticoids." Vet Rec 162(24): 777-83.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More