BSAVA PetSavers has opened applications for a PhD studentship exploring the age-related changes facing cats.
The successful applicant will support the development of an Ageing Feline Toolkit, intended to support cat owners with recognising when an age-related change in their cat requires veterinary attention.
As part of the toolkit, cat owners would have access to an evidence-based checklist of common age-related changes in cats. This could be used both at home and in practice to facilitate productive conversations with veterinary professionals.
It follows the successful release of BSAVA PetSavers’ Ageing Canine Toolkit, which was published in 2023.
The group has invited veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and companion animal welfare researchers to apply to design and supervise the PhD project. All applications should be from a multidisciplinary team, including the main applicant (student supervisor), a co-applicant in a supervisory or consultancy role, the PhD student (who may not be known at this stage).
This team must include at least one vet or veterinary nurse, and at least one feline ageing expert. The group welcomes collaboration between institutions, as well as collaborations across practice, academia, behavioural science and feline welfare research.
To support the project, BSAVA PetSavers is contributing up to £80,000 towards project costs. This can be put towards a student stipend at BBSRC rates, university fees, equipment, consumables and travel expenses.
Sarah Williams, fundraising and grant awards manager at BSAVA PetSavers, said: “The Ageing Canine Toolkit has demonstrated the value of providing owners with practical, evidence-based guidance on recognising age-related changes in their pets. Since its launch, we've received strong interest in developing a similar resource for cats.
“This PhD studentship will enable researchers to gather the robust evidence needed to underpin a feline health checklist, helping us create a trusted Ageing Feline Toolkit that supports earlier recognition of disease, encourages constructive conversations between owners and veterinary teams, and ultimately improves the lives of ageing cats."
Image © BSAVA PetSavers
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