Cat Welfare is Linked to Human Welfare

Patronek GJ: Mapping and measuring disparities in welfare for cats across neighborhoods in a large US city, J Am Vet Med Assoc 71:161, 2010.

The major goal of this study was to determine if it was possible to detect disparities in welfare of cats, as indicated by variations in rates of cat intake and death at animal shelters, within neighborhoods, and across census tracts in a large U.S. city, Boston MA. The study’s data covered a time period of 5 years. The results varied widely within 16 neighborhoods of Boston. Annual rates of cat intakes ranged from 0.85 to 10.3 cats/1000 people to the annual rate of cat deaths of 0.27 to 3.9 cats/1000 persons. A second goal was to determine whether cat mortality rates had any relationship with disparities in human health, such as reflected by premature mortality rates. Cat deaths were found to significantly correlate with human premature deaths at the neighborhood level. This result reaffirms the close connection between the well-being of humans and other animals. The use of geospatial methods in this study allowed accurate connection of cat records to actual human population data. If there is recognition of marked disparities in cat intake and mortality rates within neighborhoods and across census tracts, it may be possible to use targeted, small-area intervention as a means of reducing disparities in cat welfare.   [VT]

Related articles:
Barker SB, Wolen AR: The benefits of human-companion animal interaction: a review, J Vet Med Educ 35:487, 2008.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
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Patronek GJ: Mapping and measuring disparities in welfare for cats across neighborhoods in a large US city, J Am Vet Med Assoc 71:161, 2010.

The major goal of this study was to determine if it was possible to detect disparities in welfare of cats, as indicated by variations in rates of cat intake and death at animal shelters, within neighborhoods, and across census tracts in a large U.S. city, Boston MA. The study’s data covered a time period of 5 years. The results varied widely within 16 neighborhoods of Boston. Annual rates of cat intakes ranged from 0.85 to 10.3 cats/1000 people to the annual rate of cat deaths of 0.27 to 3.9 cats/1000 persons. A second goal was to determine whether cat mortality rates had any relationship with disparities in human health, such as reflected by premature mortality rates. Cat deaths were found to significantly correlate with human premature deaths at the neighborhood level. This result reaffirms the close connection between the well-being of humans and other animals. The use of geospatial methods in this study allowed accurate connection of cat records to actual human population data. If there is recognition of marked disparities in cat intake and mortality rates within neighborhoods and across census tracts, it may be possible to use targeted, small-area intervention as a means of reducing disparities in cat welfare.   [VT]

Related articles:
Barker SB, Wolen AR: The benefits of human-companion animal interaction: a review, J Vet Med Educ 35:487, 2008.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

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Coffee may protect against DNA damage: Study

A daily cup of coffee may reduce the oxidative damage to DNA by 12 percent, according to a pan-European study.

Researchers from the University of Vienna, Nestlé, and the University of Belgrade report that paper-filtered coffee – the most widely consumed form in Central Europe and the US – may protect against oxidative DNA-damage.

No changes in overall antioxidants status of the 38 participants were observed, according to findings published in Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis.

“It is conceivable that indirect effects such as reduced uptake of glucose via the gastrointestinal tract, which was seen with specific types of coffee and with chlorogenic acids may play a role as it is known that alterations of the energy metabolism may lead to reduced reactive oxygen species formation in the mitochondria,” wrote the researchers.

The study was funded by the Institute of Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC) – a scientific consortium of European coffee companies.

Health benefits

A recent review by Mario Ferruzzi from Purdue University noted that coffee is one of the richest sources of polyphenols in the Western diet, with one cup of the stuff providing 350 milligrams of phenolics. Of these, the most abundant compounds coffee are chlorogenic acids, making up to 12 per cent of the green coffee bean. The most abundant of these compounds is caffeic acid (Physiology & Behavior, 2010, Vol. 100, pp. 33-41).

“A better understanding of how the beverage composition impacts phenolic profiles and their bioavailability is critical to development of beverage products designed to deliver specific health benefits,” he added.

The beverage, and its constituent ingredients, has come under increasing study with research linking it to reduced risk of diabetes, and improved liver health.

Coffee, one of the world's largest traded commodities produced in more than 60 countries and generating more than $70bn in retail sales a year, continues to spawn research and interest, and has been linked to reduced risks of certain diseases, especially of the liver and diabetes.
Study details


The researchers recruited 38 people to participate in their controlled intervention trial with a cross-over design. The subjects were assigned to drink either 800 ml coffee or water daily for five days. Various measures of DNA damage were used.


At the end of the study, a reduction in DNA damage, as measured by a reduction in the formation of oxidised purines of 12.3 percent was observed in the coffee drinkers.


On the other hand, no significant changes in levels of antioxidants in the blood, or levels of reactive oxygen species in the blood were observed,


“Overall, the results indicate that coffee consumption prevents endogenous formation of oxidative DNA-damage in human, this observation may be causally related to beneficial health effects of coffee seen in earlier studies,” concluded the researchers.


From bean to leaf


Only last week, we reported on findings from a human study that indicated that green tea may also reduce DNA damage. Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University reported in the British Journal of Nutrition that combined results from a human supplementation trial and an in vitro study indicated a 20 percent reduction in levels of DNA damage.


“The results indicate that green tea has significant genoprotective effects and provide evidence for green tea as a ‘functional food’,” wrote the Hong Kong-based researchers.

Study details


The researchers recruited 38 people to participate in their controlled intervention trial with a cross-over design. The subjects were assigned to drink either 800 ml coffee or water daily for five days. Various measures of DNA damage were used.


At the end of the study, a reduction in DNA damage, as measured by a reduction in the formation of oxidised purines of 12.3 percent was observed in the coffee drinkers.


On the other hand, no significant changes in levels of antioxidants in the blood, or levels of reactive oxygen species in the blood were observed,


“Overall, the results indicate that coffee consumption prevents endogenous formation of oxidative DNA-damage in human, this observation may be causally related to beneficial health effects of coffee seen in earlier studies,” concluded the researchers.


From bean to leaf


Only last week, we reported on findings from a human study that indicated that green tea may also reduce DNA damage. Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University reported in the British Journal of Nutrition that combined results from a human supplementation trial and an in vitro study indicated a 20 percent reduction in levels of DNA damage.


“The results indicate that green tea has significant genoprotective effects and provide evidence for green tea as a ‘functional food’,” wrote the Hong Kong-based researchers.

Study details


The researchers recruited 38 people to participate in their controlled intervention trial with a cross-over design. The subjects were assigned to drink either 800 ml coffee or water daily for five days. Various measures of DNA damage were used.


At the end of the study, a reduction in DNA damage, as measured by a reduction in the formation of oxidised purines of 12.3 percent was observed in the coffee drinkers.


On the other hand, no significant changes in levels of antioxidants in the blood, or levels of reactive oxygen species in the blood were observed,


“Overall, the results indicate that coffee consumption prevents endogenous formation of oxidative DNA-damage in human, this observation may be causally related to beneficial health effects of coffee seen in earlier studies,” concluded the researchers.


From bean to leaf


Only last week, we reported on findings from a human study that indicated that green tea may also reduce DNA damage. Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University reported in the British Journal of Nutrition that combined results from a human supplementation trial and an in vitro study indicated a 20 percent reduction in levels of DNA damage.


“The results indicate that green tea has significant genoprotective effects and provide evidence for green tea as a ‘functional food’,” wrote the Hong Kong-based researchers.

A daily cup of coffee may reduce the oxidative damage to DNA by 12 percent, according to a pan-European study.

Researchers from the University of Vienna, Nestlé, and the University of Belgrade report that paper-filtered coffee – the most widely consumed form in Central Europe and the US – may protect against oxidative DNA-damage.

No changes in overall antioxidants status of the 38 participants were observed, according to findings published in Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis.

“It is conceivable that indirect effects such as reduced uptake of glucose via the gastrointestinal tract, which was seen with specific types of coffee and with chlorogenic acids may play a role as it is known that alterations of the energy metabolism may lead to reduced reactive oxygen species formation in the mitochondria,” wrote the researchers.

The study was funded by the Institute of Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC) – a scientific consortium of European coffee companies.

Health benefits

A recent review by Mario Ferruzzi from Purdue University noted that coffee is one of the richest sources of polyphenols in the Western diet, with one cup of the stuff providing 350 milligrams of phenolics. Of these, the most abundant compounds coffee are chlorogenic acids, making up to 12 per cent of the green coffee bean. The most abundant of these compounds is caffeic acid (Physiology & Behavior, 2010, Vol. 100, pp. 33-41).

“A better understanding of how the beverage composition impacts phenolic profiles and their bioavailability is critical to development of beverage products designed to deliver specific health benefits,” he added.

The beverage, and its constituent ingredients, has come under increasing study with research linking it to reduced risk of diabetes, and improved liver health.

Coffee, one of the world's largest traded commodities produced in more than 60 countries and generating more than $70bn in retail sales a year, continues to spawn research and interest, and has been linked to reduced risks of certain diseases, especially of the liver and diabetes.
Study details


The researchers recruited 38 people to participate in their controlled intervention trial with a cross-over design. The subjects were assigned to drink either 800 ml coffee or water daily for five days. Various measures of DNA damage were used.


At the end of the study, a reduction in DNA damage, as measured by a reduction in the formation of oxidised purines of 12.3 percent was observed in the coffee drinkers.


On the other hand, no significant changes in levels of antioxidants in the blood, or levels of reactive oxygen species in the blood were observed,


“Overall, the results indicate that coffee consumption prevents endogenous formation of oxidative DNA-damage in human, this observation may be causally related to beneficial health effects of coffee seen in earlier studies,” concluded the researchers.


From bean to leaf


Only last week, we reported on findings from a human study that indicated that green tea may also reduce DNA damage. Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University reported in the British Journal of Nutrition that combined results from a human supplementation trial and an in vitro study indicated a 20 percent reduction in levels of DNA damage.


“The results indicate that green tea has significant genoprotective effects and provide evidence for green tea as a ‘functional food’,” wrote the Hong Kong-based researchers.

Study details


The researchers recruited 38 people to participate in their controlled intervention trial with a cross-over design. The subjects were assigned to drink either 800 ml coffee or water daily for five days. Various measures of DNA damage were used.


At the end of the study, a reduction in DNA damage, as measured by a reduction in the formation of oxidised purines of 12.3 percent was observed in the coffee drinkers.


On the other hand, no significant changes in levels of antioxidants in the blood, or levels of reactive oxygen species in the blood were observed,


“Overall, the results indicate that coffee consumption prevents endogenous formation of oxidative DNA-damage in human, this observation may be causally related to beneficial health effects of coffee seen in earlier studies,” concluded the researchers.


From bean to leaf


Only last week, we reported on findings from a human study that indicated that green tea may also reduce DNA damage. Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University reported in the British Journal of Nutrition that combined results from a human supplementation trial and an in vitro study indicated a 20 percent reduction in levels of DNA damage.


“The results indicate that green tea has significant genoprotective effects and provide evidence for green tea as a ‘functional food’,” wrote the Hong Kong-based researchers.

Study details


The researchers recruited 38 people to participate in their controlled intervention trial with a cross-over design. The subjects were assigned to drink either 800 ml coffee or water daily for five days. Various measures of DNA damage were used.


At the end of the study, a reduction in DNA damage, as measured by a reduction in the formation of oxidised purines of 12.3 percent was observed in the coffee drinkers.


On the other hand, no significant changes in levels of antioxidants in the blood, or levels of reactive oxygen species in the blood were observed,


“Overall, the results indicate that coffee consumption prevents endogenous formation of oxidative DNA-damage in human, this observation may be causally related to beneficial health effects of coffee seen in earlier studies,” concluded the researchers.


From bean to leaf


Only last week, we reported on findings from a human study that indicated that green tea may also reduce DNA damage. Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University reported in the British Journal of Nutrition that combined results from a human supplementation trial and an in vitro study indicated a 20 percent reduction in levels of DNA damage.


“The results indicate that green tea has significant genoprotective effects and provide evidence for green tea as a ‘functional food’,” wrote the Hong Kong-based researchers.

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Omega-3, vitamins C and E may boost pancreatic health

Increased intakes of omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins C and E may reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer by over 30 percent, suggests new research.

Data from residents in the San Francisco Bay Area found that consuming at least 850 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids per day was associated with a 53 percent reduction in the risk of pancreatic cancer, compared to intakes of between 330 and 580 milligrams per day.

According to findings published in the International Journal of Cancer, benefits were also observed for intakes of vitamin C and E, the highest average intakes associated with 31 and 33 percent reductions, respectively, compared with the lowest average intakes.

On the flip side, researchers from the University of California San Francisco report that high intakes of saturated fats and certain monounsaturated fatty acids may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer – the fourth most common cause of cancer mortality in the US and the cause of 33,400 deaths among men and women in 2007.

“Results from this large population-based case-control study provide additional evidence that dietary factors and use of supplements may affect risk of pancreatic cancer,” wrote the researchers, led by Paige Bracci from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

“Our results showing increased risk of pancreatic cancer with increased saturated fatty acid intake and decreased risk with high intake of long-chain omega-3 fatty acid and of vitamin C and E from supplements contribute new data to the epidemiologic literature on pancreatic cancer,” they added.

Increased intakes of omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins C and E may reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer by over 30 percent, suggests new research.

Data from residents in the San Francisco Bay Area found that consuming at least 850 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids per day was associated with a 53 percent reduction in the risk of pancreatic cancer, compared to intakes of between 330 and 580 milligrams per day.

According to findings published in the International Journal of Cancer, benefits were also observed for intakes of vitamin C and E, the highest average intakes associated with 31 and 33 percent reductions, respectively, compared with the lowest average intakes.

On the flip side, researchers from the University of California San Francisco report that high intakes of saturated fats and certain monounsaturated fatty acids may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer – the fourth most common cause of cancer mortality in the US and the cause of 33,400 deaths among men and women in 2007.

“Results from this large population-based case-control study provide additional evidence that dietary factors and use of supplements may affect risk of pancreatic cancer,” wrote the researchers, led by Paige Bracci from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

“Our results showing increased risk of pancreatic cancer with increased saturated fatty acid intake and decreased risk with high intake of long-chain omega-3 fatty acid and of vitamin C and E from supplements contribute new data to the epidemiologic literature on pancreatic cancer,” they added.

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Citrus compounds may reduce cancer risk: Study

Daily consumption of citrus may reduce the risk of a range of cancers, especially pancreatic and prostate cancer, suggests a new study from Japan.

Eating citrus daily was associated with a 11 and 14 percent reduction in the incidence of all types of cancer for men and women, respectively, according to a study with 42,270 people living in North Eastern Japan.

Findings published in the International Journal of Cancer also indicate that co-consumption with one cup of green tea a day produced an enhanced protective effect.

“Because of the popularity of citrus and green tea among the Japanese people, these findings suggest that a possible joint effect between them may have implications for public health,” wrote the researchers, led by Wen-Qing Li from Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine.

“However, we have no information on the difference between a second cup made from the same or another set of leaves, the same as most epidemiological surveys in Japan. In any event, the mechanism responsible for this joint effect needs to be clarified further.”

Global crisis

“Cancer represents a crisis for public health, with a global estimated 12.4 million incident cases and 7.6 million deaths from cancer overall in 2008,” state the Japanese researchers. Some “basic studies” have indicated the potential for citrus to reduce the risk of cancer, linked to the compounds in the fruit exhibiting antioxidant potential.

Despite such links, actual studies of citrus intakes and the incidence of cancer are not abundant.

Study details

The Japanese scientists analysed data from 42,470 people in the Ohsaki National Health Insurance Cohort and correlated the effect of citrus and green tea consumption on the overall incidence of cancer. The average age of participants was 59.

After nine years of follow-up, the researchers documented 3,398 cases of cancer. Citrus consumption was divided into five groups: ‘never’; ‘occasionally’; ‘1 to 2 times per week’; ‘3 to 4 times per week’; and ‘daily’.

The results showed that daily consumption was correlated with significant reductions in the risk of all cancer, and especially for prostate and pancreatic cancer. In these cases, the risk reduction was calculated to be 37 and 38 percent, respectively, for daily citrus intakes.

Furthermore, people who drank one cup of green tea a day the reduction in the risk of overall cancer was 17 percent, said the researchers.

“These findings suggest that citrus consumption is associated with reduced all-cancer incidence, especially for subjects having simultaneously high green tea consumption,” wrote the scientists. “Further work on the specific citrus constituents is warranted, and clinical trials are ultimately necessary to confirm the protective effect.”

Daily consumption of citrus may reduce the risk of a range of cancers, especially pancreatic and prostate cancer, suggests a new study from Japan.

Eating citrus daily was associated with a 11 and 14 percent reduction in the incidence of all types of cancer for men and women, respectively, according to a study with 42,270 people living in North Eastern Japan.

Findings published in the International Journal of Cancer also indicate that co-consumption with one cup of green tea a day produced an enhanced protective effect.

“Because of the popularity of citrus and green tea among the Japanese people, these findings suggest that a possible joint effect between them may have implications for public health,” wrote the researchers, led by Wen-Qing Li from Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine.

“However, we have no information on the difference between a second cup made from the same or another set of leaves, the same as most epidemiological surveys in Japan. In any event, the mechanism responsible for this joint effect needs to be clarified further.”

Global crisis

“Cancer represents a crisis for public health, with a global estimated 12.4 million incident cases and 7.6 million deaths from cancer overall in 2008,” state the Japanese researchers. Some “basic studies” have indicated the potential for citrus to reduce the risk of cancer, linked to the compounds in the fruit exhibiting antioxidant potential.

Despite such links, actual studies of citrus intakes and the incidence of cancer are not abundant.

Study details

The Japanese scientists analysed data from 42,470 people in the Ohsaki National Health Insurance Cohort and correlated the effect of citrus and green tea consumption on the overall incidence of cancer. The average age of participants was 59.

After nine years of follow-up, the researchers documented 3,398 cases of cancer. Citrus consumption was divided into five groups: ‘never’; ‘occasionally’; ‘1 to 2 times per week’; ‘3 to 4 times per week’; and ‘daily’.

The results showed that daily consumption was correlated with significant reductions in the risk of all cancer, and especially for prostate and pancreatic cancer. In these cases, the risk reduction was calculated to be 37 and 38 percent, respectively, for daily citrus intakes.

Furthermore, people who drank one cup of green tea a day the reduction in the risk of overall cancer was 17 percent, said the researchers.

“These findings suggest that citrus consumption is associated with reduced all-cancer incidence, especially for subjects having simultaneously high green tea consumption,” wrote the scientists. “Further work on the specific citrus constituents is warranted, and clinical trials are ultimately necessary to confirm the protective effect.”

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Painkiller linked to stroke

Amy Corderoy 

September 14, 2010

ONE OF Australia's best-selling painkillers should be banned, according to the co-author of a study that linked it to an increased chance of stroke in healthy people.
Commonly sold as Voltaren, but available in a number of brands, it is one of a class of drugs found by a Danish study to increase the risk of stroke.
Diclofenac, the key ingredient in Voltaren, is as dangerous as the arthritis drug Vioxx, said study author and senior cardiologist at Gentofte University Hospital, Gunnar Gislason.
Vioxx was withdrawn in Australia in 2004 because of an increased risk of heart attack.
The eight-year study examined data from more than 2.6 million Danes who had a prescription for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The study found diclofenac, increased the risk of stroke by 86 per cent in people not previously thought to be at risk.
Another drug in the same class, ibuprofen, sold as Nurofen and Advil, was linked to a 30 per cent increased risk of stroke when more than 1200 milligrams were taken.
Dr Gislason, said ibuprofen should be prescription-only and diclofenac should be banned.
Ric Day, a professor of clinical pharmacology at the University of New South Wales, said people at risk of heart attack and stroke ''should be properly informed that at high doses the drugs could be dangerous''.
David Henry, an adjunct professor at the University of Newcastle, said diclofenac had consistently been shown to pose the same heart attack risk as Vioxx.
''There is no good reason why diclofenac should stay on the market, but drug regulation authorities have not taken it on as an issue,'' he said.
A spokeswoman for the Therapeutic Goods Administration said it had received eight reports of heart attacks and one of angina in patients taking diclofenac where a causal association was suspected. There had been none in patients taking ibuprofen.
A spokeswoman from Novartis Australia, which makes Voltaren, said the company did not believe the findings altered the benefit-to-risk assessment for diclofenac.
She said the drug should be used at the lowest possible dose for the shortest duration, in accordance with the doctor's or pharmacist's directions.

Amy Corderoy 

September 14, 2010

ONE OF Australia's best-selling painkillers should be banned, according to the co-author of a study that linked it to an increased chance of stroke in healthy people.
Commonly sold as Voltaren, but available in a number of brands, it is one of a class of drugs found by a Danish study to increase the risk of stroke.
Diclofenac, the key ingredient in Voltaren, is as dangerous as the arthritis drug Vioxx, said study author and senior cardiologist at Gentofte University Hospital, Gunnar Gislason.
Vioxx was withdrawn in Australia in 2004 because of an increased risk of heart attack.
The eight-year study examined data from more than 2.6 million Danes who had a prescription for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The study found diclofenac, increased the risk of stroke by 86 per cent in people not previously thought to be at risk.
Another drug in the same class, ibuprofen, sold as Nurofen and Advil, was linked to a 30 per cent increased risk of stroke when more than 1200 milligrams were taken.
Dr Gislason, said ibuprofen should be prescription-only and diclofenac should be banned.
Ric Day, a professor of clinical pharmacology at the University of New South Wales, said people at risk of heart attack and stroke ''should be properly informed that at high doses the drugs could be dangerous''.
David Henry, an adjunct professor at the University of Newcastle, said diclofenac had consistently been shown to pose the same heart attack risk as Vioxx.
''There is no good reason why diclofenac should stay on the market, but drug regulation authorities have not taken it on as an issue,'' he said.
A spokeswoman for the Therapeutic Goods Administration said it had received eight reports of heart attacks and one of angina in patients taking diclofenac where a causal association was suspected. There had been none in patients taking ibuprofen.
A spokeswoman from Novartis Australia, which makes Voltaren, said the company did not believe the findings altered the benefit-to-risk assessment for diclofenac.
She said the drug should be used at the lowest possible dose for the shortest duration, in accordance with the doctor's or pharmacist's directions.

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Bells on Cat Collars

Gordon JK, Matthaei C, van Heezik Y: Belled collars reduce catch of domestic cats in New Zealand by half, Wildlife Research 37:372, 2010.

Domestic cats, both feral and pet, can be significant predators of small wildlife in urban and suburban settings. In many countries, outdoor access for owned cats is common. While belled collars are a simple and inexpensive way to mitigate predatory behavior, public perception is often that they do not work. Researchers in New Zealand investigated the effectiveness of belled collars to reduce prey catches. Thirty households with a total of 45 cats participated in the study, as owners of these cats reported at least one prey catch per cat per week. Cats were assessed for successful predation for 6 weeks with a collar, and 6 weeks without a collar. Cats were divided into two groups with equal proportions of males and females. One group wore the belled collar the first six weeks, the second group wore the collar the second six weeks. Predation of birds was reduced 50%, and of rodents, 61%. Numbers of rats, lizards and insects were not affected. Gender, age, and season did not affect the results. The researchers concluded that belled collars were effective at reducing successful predation. [MK]

Related articles:
Lord LK: Attitudes toward and perceptions of free-roaming cats among individuals living in Ohio, J Am Vet Med Assoc 232:1159, 2008.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Gordon JK, Matthaei C, van Heezik Y: Belled collars reduce catch of domestic cats in New Zealand by half, Wildlife Research 37:372, 2010.

Domestic cats, both feral and pet, can be significant predators of small wildlife in urban and suburban settings. In many countries, outdoor access for owned cats is common. While belled collars are a simple and inexpensive way to mitigate predatory behavior, public perception is often that they do not work. Researchers in New Zealand investigated the effectiveness of belled collars to reduce prey catches. Thirty households with a total of 45 cats participated in the study, as owners of these cats reported at least one prey catch per cat per week. Cats were assessed for successful predation for 6 weeks with a collar, and 6 weeks without a collar. Cats were divided into two groups with equal proportions of males and females. One group wore the belled collar the first six weeks, the second group wore the collar the second six weeks. Predation of birds was reduced 50%, and of rodents, 61%. Numbers of rats, lizards and insects were not affected. Gender, age, and season did not affect the results. The researchers concluded that belled collars were effective at reducing successful predation. [MK]

Related articles:
Lord LK: Attitudes toward and perceptions of free-roaming cats among individuals living in Ohio, J Am Vet Med Assoc 232:1159, 2008.

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Read More