[Compliance of dog and cat owners in preventive health care]

Advice on cat behavior in German veterinary practices:Expectations of cat owners and influencing factors on compliance

Veterinarians play an important role in establishing and sharing the welfare of companion animals by carrying out regular health checks and informing owners about the specific needs of the animal's environment and conditions of good husbandry. A survey among German cat owners revealed which role advice about cat behavior plays in daily practice and its influence on the cat owner's compliance. Some owners (29.6%, n = 263/889) reported behavioral problems in their cat.  Not all owners considered their veterinarian as their contact of choice for behavioral advice, although veterinarians who met owners' expectations for advice on cat behavior are significantly more often described as feline-friendly (P < 0.000). Owners who expected an empathetic treatment of their cat will show a better compliance (P = 0.003). Owner compliance can be improved by providing accurate and effective veterinary advice about cat behavior and behavioral problems (P = 0.003). Thus, a sound foundation in cat behavior and knowledge of current treatment recommendations for feline behavioral problems can be worthwhile to ensure good husbandry for cats.

[Vaccination - yes or no? What reasons influence the vaccination decision of dog owners? - A survey of responses from private dog owners, breeders and veterinarians]

OBJECTIVE

Dogs are important companions in many people's lives. This high priority leads to differentiated considerations regarding the health care of the animal, also with regard to vaccinations. In this study, reasons for the vaccination decision of private dog owners and breeders as well as possible influencing factors were analyzed and compared with the information provided by the participating veterinarians.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 1480 private dog owners, 349 breeders, and 365 veterinarians participated in this survey, which was conducted exclusively online using the LimeSurvey software. Absolute and percentage frequencies, mean values and standard deviations were analyzed based on the information provided by dog owners and veterinarians. A Mann Whitney test was used to compare the change in vaccination behavior between private dog owners and breeders.

RESULTS

A total of 98 % of participants in this study classified their dog as a family member. The evaluation of reasons that influence the vaccination decision of dog owners showed that anxieties and a sense of responsibility play a greater role for dog owners than external circumstances. However, from the point of view of the participating veterinarians, financial aspects and requirements of third parties such as dog schools or boarding houses possess a stronger influence on the vaccination decision than dog owners stated.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The evaluation of the vaccination motives of dog owners revealed results similar to the information provided in parental vaccination decisions. The comparison between statements of the interviewed veterinarians and accounts by the dog owners shows a clear need for communication and education for vaccinations in veterinary practice. Already established strategies from human medicine may also be used for this purpose in veterinary practice and should be developed for veterinary medicine in the future.