Factors Affecting Hair Cortisol Concentration in Privately Owned Intact Cats

This study on 103 intact, privately owned cats examined factors affecting hair cortisol concentration, a biomarker for long-term stress. Hair samples were collected during routine surgical preparation, and cortisol levels were measured using an ELISA kit. The study found that age, breed, coat type, coat color, and season did not significantly affect cortisol levels, but male cats had higher cortisol concentrations than females. Environmental and behavioral factors did not significantly influence cortisol levels, suggesting that inherent individual traits may play a more significant role in determining long-term stress in cats. Further research is needed to explore these findings.