Implementation and Evaluation of Nutritional Management Improvements for Elderly Community Cats on a University Campus

Otávia Augusta de Mello; Guilherme Rafael Gomide Pinheiro; Ailton Junior Antunes da Costa; Camila Stefanie Fonseca de Oliveira; Graciela Kunrath Lima; Mauricio de Almeida Neto; Danielle Ferreira de Magalhães Soares

doi:10.56771/jsmcah.v4.122

Authors

Otávia Augusta de Mello Laboratory of Veterinary Epidemiology, Preventive Veterinary Department, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Guilherme Rafael Gomide Pinheiro Veterinary Medicine Department, UNA University Center, Bom Despacho, Minas Gerais, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8343-8344
Ailton Junior Antunes da Costa Laboratory of Veterinary Epidemiology, Preventive Veterinary Department, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4166-2487
Camila Stefanie Fonseca de Oliveira Laboratory of Veterinary Epidemiology, Preventive Veterinary Department, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5557-7267
Graciela Kunrath Lima Department of Environment and Biosafety Management, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6274-2702
Mauricio de Almeida Neto Center for Social Sciences, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5005-3934
Danielle Ferreira de Magalhães Soares Laboratory of Veterinary Epidemiology, Preventive Veterinary Department, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2584-2693

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56771/jsmcah.v4.122

Keywords:

colony cats, animal food security, welfare, feeding stations, animal food bank, human-animal bond

Abstract

Although the nutritional management of domestic pet cats has been widely studied, research on the dietary needs of community cats, especially older individuals, remains limited, mainly due to environmental and biological challenges that prevent many cats from reaching advanced age. This case study examines the nutritional assessment and the implementation of feeding improvement strategies for a group of community cats, mostly elderly (11/13), living at the Faculty of Philosophy and Human Sciences (FAFICH) in the Pampulha campus of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brazil. Data collection from October 2022 to July 2024 included demographic documentation, photographic records, direct observations, and caregiver interviews. Key strategies implemented: 1) installing feeding stations to protect dry food from stray dogs, 2) nutritional and body condition assessments, 3) creation of a Solidarity Food Bank to ensure food through donations. The diet consisted of ad libitum dry kitten food and a daily wet food meal. An innovative positive reinforcement self-weighing system was introduced for regular weight monitoring. During the study, cats’ body condition improved significantly, food security was achieved, and caregiver-cat bonds strengthened, showing the importance of targeted interventions to improve community cats’ general welfare, especially older ones.

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