The Influence of Owners' Attachment to Their Pets on the Feeding Tendency, Body Condition Score (BCS), Morbidity Status, and Preventive Behaviors for Their Pets

Abstract

Humans have an attachment to their pets, such as dogs and cats. The owners give affection to their pets and keep them as family members. Therefore, the eating habits of pets changed, and it likely causes them to become overweight and sick. The influence of owners' attachment to their pets on the health of the pets was surveyed using a questionnaire completed by the owners. As a result, two types of owners' attachment (overly-affectionate attachment and stable attachment) were identified by factor analysis. In addition, it was found that overly-affectionate attachment influenced the improper feeding tendency and low mixed-vaccine inoculation rate for pets. Additionally, pets inappropriately fed by owners had a high degree of BCS, acute pancreatitis morbidity rate, and a low rate of mixed-vaccine inoculation. Also, the owners of these pets had a significantly higher overly-affectionate attachment score. Therefore, it appears that the owners' overly-affectionate attachment to pets has a negative influence on the pets' health due to inappropriate feeding. Veterinary practitioners must consider the quality of the owners' attachment for concerns about pets' health management and appropriate human-animal bonds. PU - Japan Veterinary Medical Association PA - Tokyo