Good News for Pets

HUGS AND A LITTLE HELP FROM FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS
By Steve Dale

Need a shoulder to lean on? According to the 10th Annual American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Survey of People and Pet Relationships, nearly a third of all pet owners (29 percent) rely most on Fido or Fluffy for companionship and affection.

Most people - 57 percent - depend on their spouse or significant other for hugs and support. This is no surprise. But pets finished well ahead of all others to lean on when times are hard. Only four percent rely on their children for companionship and affection - perhaps we don't want to burden them. And only four percent count on a little help from their friends, that's unless those friends have four legs.

To prove the point, 74 percent of respondents said they'd actually go into debt to provide for their pet's well being.

The AAHA Survey included 1,189 pet owners in the United States and Canada, and was administered by mail and then tallied by Corona Research, Denver, CO.

AAHA places their version of the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval on it's more than 2,800 member hospitals and 7,600 accredited veterinarians, and is based in Denver.

Over a third of those surveyed (37 percent) admit to speaking to their pet on an answering machine while they're on overnight trips. Apparently, in efforts to please the pooch, kitty or birdy, we're willing to overcome inhibitions. After all, last year's survey indicated 65 percent admitted to singing and/or dancing for their four legged or feathered friend. In 1998, 76 percent admitted to speaking to their pet using a special voice, a special high pitched 'pet voice.'

Certainly, pets have become our companions, even on the road. When this survey first began in 1991, 40 percent traveled somewhere at least once a year with their pet. Today, 65 percent tote Fido or Fluffy along for the ride.

When the pet isn't along, he or she is hardly forgotten about; 44 percent bring home a souvenir specifically their pet. In all, 94 percent say they find an excuse to buy their pet at least one present a year - that's way up from 79 percent in 1995 when this survey question was first asked.

Here's an odd trend: Back in 1995, 21 percent said they have a reason to periodically dress their pet in clothing. That number has slowly increased to where it is now, 24 per cent. Most people say they dress their pets because they need to protect against the cold, although many also do so for holidays, mostly Christmas and Halloween.

Certainly, dogs have moved from the doghouse to living in our house, and most cats are now primarily kept indoors. Perhaps, it's no surprise, 39 percent of the respondents concede there's at least one piece of furniture reserved solely for Fido or Fluffy.

Concerning veterinary care and general health, ten years ago, 75 percent said their pet was spayed or neutered. This year's survey marks an all time high for spay/neuter, at 82 percent. 25 percent say they brush their pet's teeth (though it's not indicated how frequently they do so), and 45 percent say their pet receives annual dental care of some kind from their vets. However, pet insurance still hasn't caught on, with only three percent of those who took the survey signing up.

While alternative medicine may be more popular than ever, the designation 'alternative' still applies. 70 percent of those responding say they never tried any form of alternative veterinary medicine. Among those who have, 11 percent have had their pet undergo massage therapy; seven percent herbal remedies; five percent homeopathic medicine and only two percent have tried acupuncture.

Interestingly, the perception of pet owners is sometimes different than what veterinarians report. The vast majority of pet owners, 81 percent, claim their pet is about at its appropriate weight, and only 17 percent concede their best friend is overweight. Most veterinarians say a third to nearly one-half of all dogs and cats are overweight.

Exercise is a part of the solution for any weight problem. And according to this survey most people do exercise their pets. Daily exercise is common for 79 percent, weekly exercise for 13 percent, monthly exercise for one percent, while seven percent admit to hardly ever exercising their pet. In fact, just over half all pet owners (52 percent) say their pet gets more exercise than they do.

No doubt, overall, pets in America enjoy a better quality of life with each passing year. With that in mind the AAHA survey asked, "If you were a pet, what kind would you want to be?" Even though there are more cats than dogs in America, 60 percent say they'd like to try life as a dog, 32 percent would like to purr like a cat, four percent make no squawks about preferring to be a bird, and just under three percent want to try out life as a ferret, lizard, snake, gerbil or hamster.

Note: This article is copyrighted by Steve Dale and can be used as source material and for reference only. It cannot be reprinted verbatim. Please contact Steve Dale at petworld@aol.com if you have any questions.

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