Road Accidents: Top Cause of Death in UK Cats Revealed

Road accidents are the top killer of UK cats under 8. Get important advice on how to shield your cat from avoidable risks.

Road Traffic Accidents:

There are around 11 million pet cats in homes throughout the United Kingdom, making them one of the most cherished pets in the nation. Whether they are curling up on our laps, playing in the garden, or chasing after toys, they bring joy to millions of households. But despite how much we love and care for them, many cat owners face a heartbreaking reality. Road traffic accidents (RTAS) are the primary cause of death for pet cats under the age of eight in the United Kingdom.

A new study by the University of Bristol Veterinary School and Cats Protection, recently published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, has shed light on this troubling issue. What makes this study especially important is that it’s the first UK-wide research that includes cats that were never taken to a vet or covered by insurance. Earlier studies mostly focused on cats that visited the vet, but this one gives us a much broader and more complete understanding of how cats in the UK are living and sadly, dying.

Understanding Why UK Pet Cats Die:

Cats are often seen as independent animals. Many owners allow their cats to roam outdoors, which is part of what makes them happy and healthy. But with freedom comes risk, especially when they wander near busy roads.

The Bristol Cats study aimed to:

• Get a complete picture of what causes death in UK pet cats by using data directly from cat owners.
• Measure mortality rates and survival probabilities over the first eight years of a cat’s life.

Road Accidents Top Cause of UK Cat Deaths:

At least 362 of the 2,444 cats that were part of the Bristol Cats study had passed away before turning nine. This is what the study found:

Road traffic incidents accounted for 45.6% of the deaths of cats under the age of eight.

• For kittens under 1 year old, the top causes of death were:
• RTAS (61.2%)
• Feline infectious peritonitis (11.9%)
• Other trauma (7.5%)
• For young adult cats (1–6 years old), the leading causes were:
• RTAs (49.6%)
• Non-specified causes (14.4%)
• Kidney disease (6.5%)
• Heart disease (6.5%)

The study also looked at the probability of dying at different ages:

• The yearly mortality rate for cats under two years old was between 2.8 and 3.1%.
• Between 2 and 3 years old, the risk dropped to 1.7%.
• From 7 to 8 years old, the risk went up again to 3.6%.

These numbers highlight that while older cats face higher risks from diseases, young cats, especially those under two years old, face surprisingly high risks from accidents.

Why Are RTAS Such a Big Problem?

Road traffic accidents happen when cats are hit by moving vehicles. Since cats are naturally curious and often roam outdoors, they can easily end up crossing busy roads. Some reasons why RTAS are so common among cats include:

• Outdoor access: Many UK cat owners let their cats roam freely, increasing their exposure to traffic.
• Young cats’ behaviour: Kittens and young cats are more playful, curious, and unaware of dangers, making them more vulnerable.
• Nighttime low visibility: Cats are frequently active at night, when it is more difficult for cars to see them.
• Urban environments: Cats living in cities and towns face higher traffic volumes compared to rural areas.

Disease-Related Deaths:

While road accidents are the biggest danger for young cats, diseases still play an important role, especially in older cats. The study found that:

• Kittens were at risk of infectious diseases like feline infectious peritonitis.
• Young adult cats sometimes die from kidney and heart diseases.
• Older cats (beyond 8 years, although outside this study’s main focus) are likely to face increasing risks from chronic illnesses.

The authors also point out that, beyond age eight, disease-related deaths will likely overtake RTAS as the main cause of death in cats.

Steps to Keep Young Cats Safe Outdoors:

The study’s findings highlight the need for cat owners to take extra care, especially with younger cats. Here are some practical steps owners can consider:

1. Keep cats indoors at night. This is when traffic visibility is low and many RTAs occur.
2. Provide safe outdoor spaces. Consider cat-proof gardens or outdoor enclosures where cats can play safely without getting near roads.
3. Use reflective collars. A luminous or glow-in-the-dark collar can make your cat easier to spot by traffic if they venture outside.
4. Train young cats carefully. Gradually introduce them to the outdoors in a safe and controlled way, reducing their risk of getting into dangerous situations.
5. Consider indoor enrichment. Toys, scratching posts, and climbing trees can help keep indoor cats happy and healthy without needing outdoor time.
6. Microchip your cat. While this won’t prevent accidents, it helps reunite you with your cat if they get lost or are injured.

Importance of Awareness:

Many cat owners may not realise just how high the risk of RTAS is. By raising awareness through studies like this, pet charities, vets, and owners can work together to reduce unnecessary deaths.

Aimee Taylor, the corresponding author from Langford Vets at the Bristol Vet School, emphasized the importance of this study by saying:

We discovered that while age raises the danger of death, cats under the age of two are also at significant risk of dying. However, as our research only looked into pet cats up to 8 years old, disease-related causes of death may well overtake RTAS in older cats. While age and disease matter, road safety remains a critical issue for the well-being of cats, especially when they are young and active.

Conclusion:

The University of Bristol and Cats Protection have provided pet owners with eye-opening research about the dangers facing their cats. With road traffic accidents being the number one cause of death in pet cats under eight, owners have an urgent reason to rethink how they care for their feline friends.

By taking preventive steps, staying informed, and creating safe environments, cat owners can help reduce the risk of accidents and ensure that their beloved pets enjoy long, healthy lives. This study is a wake-up call, but it is also an opportunity to make life safer for one of the UK’s favourite pets.