Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Ambo University, P.O.Box 19, Ambo, Ethiopia.
Department of Veterinary Laboratory Technology, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Ambo University, P.O.Box 19, Ambo, Ethiopia.
BMC Vet Res. 2020 Dec 10;16(1):481. doi: 10.1186/s12917-020-02699-4.
The dog and cat population data is generally scarce in developing countries due to absence of surveys. The demography of owned dogs and cats, and the associated ownership characteristics, are essential for the control of pet population and zoonosis. This study was conducted in three towns of West Shoa Zone of Ethiopia with the objectives of assessing demographic characteristics of owned dogs and cats and determinants of ownership.
About 65.1% (95% CI: 62.1-69.8%) of the householders own dogs, 39.2% (95% CI: 35.8-43.8%) own cats, and 30.6% (95% CI: 27.4-35.0%) own both. The majority of the dog-owning households own a single dog (74.8%) and cat (74.9%). There were significantly higher proportion of dog and cat-owning households in Bako than Ambo and Gojo towns. The human to owned-dog ratio was 6:1, and that of cat ratio was 10:1. There were more male dogs (72.1%) and more female cats (59.7%). The male to female sex ratio was estimated at 3:1 for the dog while nearly 1:1 for cats. About 37.5% of the owned dogs were indoor, and 62.5% have free access to outside. Dogs and cats were acquired as a gift from families, neighbors, and friends. The identified reason for not owning dogs/cats were fear of zoonosis, dislike, no time to devote, benefit not realized, and shortage of finance. Logistic regression analysis identified study town, community type, gender of head of household, ownership of other animals as determinants for dog/cat ownership. Besides, possessing dogs was significantly associated with cat ownership.
The current study provide insights into the determinants of dogs/cats ownership and their demographic characteristics in Ethiopia. Dogs are more commonly owned, but the household determinants for dog and cat ownership were comparable. Means of obtaining and reason of owning or abandoning dogs/cats is partly different from those reported in the developed countries. The results of this study could be used for the provision of veterinary services, quantifying health risks and benefits associated with dog/cat ownership, and control of pet population and related zoonosis.
由于缺乏调查，发展中国家的犬猫种群数据通常较为匮乏。了解宠物犬和宠物猫的群体特征以及相关的饲养特征，对于控制宠物种群数量和人畜共患病至关重要。本研究在埃塞俄比亚西部绍阿地区的三个城镇进行，旨在评估宠物犬和宠物猫的群体特征以及饲养因素。
约 65.1%（95%CI：62.1-69.8%）的家庭饲养犬，39.2%（95%CI：35.8-43.8%）饲养猫，30.6%（95%CI：27.4-35.0%）同时饲养犬和猫。大部分养犬家庭饲养 1 只犬（74.8%），养猫家庭饲养 1 只猫（74.9%）。与安博和戈焦镇相比，巴科镇拥有犬和猫的家庭比例明显更高。人均犬数为 6 只，人均猫数为 10 只。公犬（72.1%）多于母犬，母猫（59.7%）多于公猫。公母犬比例估计为 3:1，公母猫比例接近 1:1。约 37.5%的宠物犬为室内饲养，62.5%的宠物犬可自由出入室外。犬和猫主要作为礼物从家庭、邻居和朋友处获得。不饲养犬和猫的原因主要是担心人畜共患病、不喜欢、没有时间、没有受益和缺乏资金。多因素 logistic 回归分析显示，研究地点、社区类型、户主性别、其他动物的饲养情况是影响犬/猫饲养的决定因素。此外，饲养犬与饲养猫显著相关。
本研究提供了埃塞俄比亚犬猫饲养的决定因素及其群体特征的相关信息。犬的饲养更为普遍，但犬和猫饲养的家庭决定因素相似。获得犬和猫的方式以及饲养或弃养犬和猫的原因与发达国家有所不同。本研究结果可用于提供兽医服务、量化与犬/猫饲养相关的健康风险和受益，以及控制宠物种群和相关人畜共患病。
