Reality Check for American Pet Owners
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Survey Reveals Pet Owners Love Too Much, Know Too Little
(NEW YORK) October 3, 2000
It's a great time to be an American pet … or is it?
A new survey shows that while pet owners are lavishing
unprecedented affection on their dogs and cats, their perceptions
of animal health, welfare and behavior issues are significantly
out of sync with reality.
The State of the American Pet, a national survey of dog and
cat owners, was conducted by Yankelovich Partners on behalf of
the Healthy Pets 21 Consortium (HP21), a think tank initiated by
the Purina Pet Institute that includes some of the foremost
leaders in the pet health and welfare community.
The research makes it clear that owners are very committed to
their animals. They take their dogs and cats shopping, to
restaurants and on vacation. They give them respect, love and
hours of attention.
But other findings prompt concerns for America's 120 million
dogs and cats:
- Owners see their pets' health as good, yet veterinarians
report there may be disparities.
- Though owners say their pets are well behaved, when
probed further, they cite numerous behavioral issues
ranging from scratching furniture to soiling in the
house.
- Pet owners are concerned about pet overpopulation, yet
many do not act consistently to help reduce the problem.
Check Up and Check Out The Scale
While 97 percent of owners describe their pets' overall health
as very or fairly good, 56 percent of dog owners and 51 percent
of cat owners list specific health problems they experienced with
their pet. And when their pets have a health problem, only one
out of three owners take their pets to the veterinarian for
treatment.
Moreover, though obesity among dogs and cats is a leading
nutritional disease with potentially serious health consequences,
more than 80 percent of pet owners think their pets are the right
weight or underweight. However, veterinarians report at least 25
percent of the pets they examine in private practice are
overweight. This has the Healthy Pets 21 Consortium wondering if
pet owners are attuned to their pets' proper weight.
"Most pet owners think a few extra pounds on a dog or cat
is nothing to worry about," says Aine McCarthy, DVM, HP21
Consortium representative from Ralston Purina. "In reality,
two extra pounds on a standard-size cat is like 20 extra pounds
on a 120-pound human. Extra weight on pets may be dangerous and
can lead to heart, digestive and respiratory problems."
Who's In The Dog House?
Pet owners report their dogs and cats are well behaved, but
are they turning a blind eye? Almost all pet owners (97 percent)
say their pets are very or fairly well behaved. However, when
asked about specific behavior problems they experience, 85
percent of dog owners and 82 percent of cat owners list issues
ranging from jumping on people or growling to scratching
furniture or soiling in the house.
When owners were asked whether their pet's greatest behavior
problem was solved, just 21 percent of dog owners and 30 percent
of cat owners said their pet's negative behavior was resolved.
The Healthy Pets 21 Consortium worries these results might
indicate that pet owners overlook negative behavior because of
the close bond they share with their pet. Or, perhaps they accept
bad behavior because they don't understand proper pet behavior.
For whatever reason, owners are passive about their pets'
behavioral issues. In fact, 18 percent of dog owners and 24
percent of cat owners said they did nothing about their pets'
negative behavior, and only one out of every five dog owners has
ever taken their dog to obedience training. In addition, of those
who have surrendered a pet, 14 percent of dog owners and five
percent of cat owners have done so due to behavioral problems.
"First owners need to recognize their pets' unwanted
behavior as a problem and understand that the negative behavior
can be improved or prevented by consulting with knowledgeable
trainers, behaviorists and veterinarians," says R.K.
Anderson, DVM, HP21 Consortium representative from CENSHARE.
"This is essential not only because unwanted behaviors
fracture the bond between owners and their pets, but they also
can signal a health problem for which owners should see their
veterinarians. Animals seek our approval and it is the
responsibility of owners - and a sign of their compassion - to
help their pets learn how that approval can best be earned."
Dr. Anderson also notes that while many people are reluctant
to train their pets, requiring appropriate behavior actually
strengthens the human/animal bond.
"Not only can the unwanted behaviors fracture the bond
between owners and their pets, but they also can signal a health
problem for which they should see their veterinarian," says
Anderson.
Practice What You Preach
Perhaps the most surprising contradiction between pet owners'
perceptions and reality is their concern for our country's pets.
More than half of dog owners (56 percent) and nearly two-thirds
of cat owners (64 percent) rank the pet overpopulation problem as
their greatest concern. Unfortunately, it appears some pet owners
don't practice what they preach. Although three out of four pet
owners said their pets are spayed or neutered, twenty-five
percent report they have not had their pets fixed and fewer than
15 percent acquired their pets from shelters.
What is even more surprising among those who have not had
their pets spayed or neutered, is the top reason cited by one in
three owners -- "they simply haven't bothered to do it
yet."
"We applaud those pet owners who have adopted pets from
shelters and spayed or neutered their pets. Their actions play a
critical role in reducing the number of animals that are
homeless, living in shelters or euthanized each year," says
Jane McCall, HP21 Consortium representative from the Society of
Animal Welfare Administrators. "A cat or dog who has babies,
and whose babies have babies, can be responsible for the birth of
50 to 200 kittens or puppies in just one year."
Setting the Pet Health Agenda
The Healthy Pets 21 Consortium is an initiative of Ralston
Purina's newly formed Purina Pet Institute. Its mission is to
champion improved health and well-being for our nation's dogs and
cats, and the quality of their relationships with people. Based
on the survey findings, the Healthy Pets 21 Consortium has
established an agenda addressing issues in the areas of pet
health, behavior and welfare. The Consortium will specifically
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