Researchers are investigating the concerning mortality rate among kittens, where two out of ten do not survive their first weeks of life. A project titled “A Cat’s Life” has been initiated to explore the reasons behind these early deaths and identify ways to enhance kitten health.
Read More
Each year, over 11,000 kittens are born in Sweden as registered with the National Association of Swedish Cat Clubs (SVERAK), with an estimated 2,500 passing away in the early days of life. The true number may be higher, as many cats in Sweden remain unregistered.
Linn Aksén, a veterinarian and doctoral student, is leading the research. She highlights that many kittens appear healthy one moment and suddenly perish without a clear cause. While congenital abnormalities or birthing complications account for some deaths, these factors do not sufficiently explain the overall mortality rate.
Historical data indicates that approximately one-third of cat breeders in Sweden report their cats exhibiting symptoms of infectious diseases. The primary focus of this research will be on major infections like feline panleukopenia, cat flu, and feline coronavirus, which can be particularly deadly for young kittens.
The research aims to uncover how frequently infectious diseases contribute to kitten mortality. It will encompass four key areas: conducting surveys to identify risk factors, performing post-mortem examinations to determine causes of death, sampling cats with signs of infection to understand circulating viruses, and characterizing the viruses detected.
The research is scheduled to run from 2026 to 2030, backed by The Greater Stockholm Animal Healthcare Foundation and the Mats F. and Catarina Linde Forsberg Foundation. Aksén hopes the findings will lead to improved guidelines for cat breeders and veterinarians, fostering better health conditions for kittens.
In addition to researching existing issues, the project will provide valuable insights for cat owners and breeders, particularly regarding preventive measures against specific infections. Aksén emphasizes that, while not every death can be avoided, the goal is to reduce unnecessary kitten mortality by identifying important risk factors during their vulnerable early life stages.
The research team includes various experts in veterinary medicine, ensuring a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing kitten health and survival.