A recent study has shed light on the importance of awareness about animals’ needs and legal regulations in ensuring the health and behavior of dogs. The study, conducted through an online survey of dog owners in Chile, found concerning trends related to pet care practices and knowledge about animal welfare laws.
The study discovered that 20% of the dogs surveyed were overweight or obese, with a correlation between not receiving scraps of food and lower obesity rates. Additionally, spayed female dogs were less likely to be obese compared to neutered male dogs.
Aggressive behavior was also a significant issue, with 24.6% of owners reporting aggression towards people and 51.1% towards other animals. Factors such as lack of basic training classes, not walking the dogs, and living on a farm were linked to an increased risk of aggressive behavior.
Furthermore, the study highlighted the importance of knowledge about current legislation in responsible pet ownership. Dogs whose owners were not aware of legal regulations were more likely to be unchipped, unregistered, behind on vaccinations, or not sterilized.
The findings underscore the necessity of an effective educational strategy to improve pet ownership practices, emphasizing the importance of understanding the needs of dogs and legal responsibilities of owners. Only through increased awareness and education can the well-being of pets be ensured.
The study, led by Tamara Tadich, Raúl Alegría-Morán, and Sebastián Escobar-Aguirre, was published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior. It points towards the need for a multidisciplinary approach to promoting responsible pet ownership and enhancing the overall welfare of companion animals.