ArticlePloS one2026
In sickness and health: A reflexive thematic analysis of ethical considerations and experiences of owners of cats treated for diabetes mellitus.
Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Cats are widely regarded as beloved family members, with whom owners develop strong emotional bonds. When a cat is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, many owners choose to pursue medical treatment despite the significant commitment and resources required for disease management. This study qualitatively explored the factors influencing treatment decisions for cats diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, focusing on the emotional, practical, and ethical challenges that shape owners' choices. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 cat owners in Sweden, all of whom had opted to initiate treatment for their cats diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The data were systematically analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, generating three themes within an overarching theme encapsulating key aspects of cat ownership. These themes centered on owners' perceived responsibility of care, maintaining the cats' quality of life, and the burden of end-of-life decisions. Findings highlight the interplay of emotional attachment, caregiving responsibilities, and ethical considerations in decision-making. We argue that recognising the emotional bonds between owners and their cats and providing personalised care plans that balance medical needs with owners' life situations can improve communication, veterinary support and cat welfare. Addressing both the medical and emotional aspects of caregiving is crucial for fostering a sustainable and positive caregiving experience.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.