Dog owners and preventative healthcare: knowledge level, interest, and impact on perceptions of veterinarians' trustworthiness and empathy.

OBJECTIVE

Gain a better understanding of dog owners' knowledge and interest level for 13 preventative healthcare (PHC) topics. Examine the potential predictive value of owners' satisfaction with how their veterinarian communicates about PHC topics and perceived veterinarian-related trust and empathy and frequency of PHC veterinary visits.

METHODS

An electronic survey was created in Qualtrics and distributed to dog owners within the US via a link offered in Prolific, an open online marketplace whereby respondents receive small monetary compensation for completing surveys.

RESULTS

A total of 738 participants completed the survey, all of whom were dog owners living in the US. Owners reported knowing the most about the importance of mental engagement, how to assess their dog's everyday quality of life, vaccines, and parasites. Owners were most interested in learning more about how to assess their dog's everyday quality of life, importance of mental enrichment, diseases related to their dog's breed, and senior care. Veterinarians were the primary source of information for 13 of 14 topics. Owners' satisfaction with how PHC information is discussed was a significant predictor for perceived veterinarian empathy and trustworthiness, as well as frequency of PHC visits.

CONCLUSIONS

Dog owners understand the value of PHC and look to their veterinarian for this information. Satisfaction with PHC dissemination predicts owners' views of their veterinarian's trustworthiness and empathy.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Dissemination of PHC information can improve animal health and well-being not only directly but also indirectly through its impact on owners' perceptions of their veterinarian.