A Cross-Sectional Study of Knowledge on Ownership, Zoonoses and Practices among Pet Owners in Northern Portugal.

Beatriz Do Vale,Luís Cardoso,Ana Patrícia Lopes,Mário Silvestre,Ana Cláudia Coelho,Maria Da Conceição Fontes

doi:10.3390/ani11123543

Beatriz Do Vale, Luís Cardoso + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123543

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Abstract

Simple SummaryPet ownership is common in most countries, but few published studies have addressed pet owners’ knowledge of zoonoses, pet contact practices, or awareness of zoonotic disease risks posed by pets. The aim of this study was to assess household knowledge, attitudes, and risks related to pet ownership and zoonoses in northern Portugal. A questionnaire was developed to gather information regarding participants’ demographic characteristics; household pet types and their importance to the family; pet contact-related attitudes; knowledge of zoonoses, high-risk groups, disease transmission pathways, and disease protection measures. It was observed that most participants considered pets an important part of the family. Nevertheless, high-risk practices were recurrent and pet owners’ knowledge was limited. These results reinforce the importance of further studies to better understand the existing gaps in knowledge of pet ownership and zoonoses and strengthens the need to adopt the One Health concept.Pet ownership is common in modern society. In Portugal, 38% and 31% of all households own at least one dog or cat, respectively. Few studies have ascertained the knowledge of pet owners on pet ownership and zoonoses, and none have been carried out in Portugal. The aim of the present study was to assess household knowledge and practices related to pet ownership and zoonoses in northern Portugal. A face-to-face questionnaire was completed by 424 pet owners, from November 2019 to February 2020. Most respondents (97.2%) considered pets as an important part of the family, especially women (p = 0.036); 73.1% allowed their pets to live an indoor/outdoor life; 41.3% denied sharing the bed with their pets while 29% assumed they did it daily; 20.3% reported never kissing their pets/pets licking their faces. Furthermore, 73.6% considered animals as potential sources of human diseases, but only 25.9% reported knowing the definition of zoonoses; 96.9% considered the role of veterinarians important in protecting public health. The low level of knowledge of pet owners and the occurrence of high-risk behaviors indicates a need to strengthen communication between veterinarians, physicians, pet owners, and the general public towards reduce the risk of acquisition and transmission of zoonoses.

Highlights

Pet ownership is common in modern society, differences exist on a continent and country basis [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
This study aimed to characterize household knowledge, attitudes and practices related to pet ownership in northern Portugal
This study revealed a lack of knowledge and understanding of zoonoses among northern Portuguese pet owners

Summary

Introduction

Pet ownership is common in modern society, differences exist on a continent and country basis [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. Dogs and cats are the most frequently owned pets other species are gaining more attention in households worldwide [9]. According to the Animals 2021, 11, 3543. European Pet Food Industry (FEDIAF), 85 million European Union households (38% of all households) owned at least one pet animal in 2019. Cats represented the most comEuropean Pet Food. Industry by (FEDIAF), 85 million households all monly owned pet, followed dogs, birds, small European mammals,Union ornamental fishes,(38%. In Portugal, 38%atand allanimal households own at least one dogthe or cat, respectively owned pet, followed by dogs, birds, small mammals, ornamental fishes, and reptiles. In equating to around 2,050,000 owned dogs and 1,500,000 owned cats [8]

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