Understanding owner preferences in pet care amidst the COVID-19 pandemic is the driving force behind a recently concluded national survey.
Conducted by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) from September 8 to 14, the AVMA 2023 Pet Owner Attitude Survey is reflective of their attitudes and experiences in veterinary care in the “wake of disruptions” caused by the pandemic.
The survey, completed by 1,000 respondents across the U.S., finds majority of pet owners believe an in-person examination by a veterinarian leads to the “best” care for their pets. Further, 80 percent of pet owners expressed their preference for a “veterinarian-led” care for their pets, agreeing it would be” dangerous” for a non-veterinarian to make recommendations about life-or-death decisions for their pet. versus delegating the responsibility to non-veterinarians, including a mid-level employee. Other key takeaways include:
- 88 percent of pet owners believe that having a veterinarian physically examine their pet and talk to them in-person is what leads to the best care
- 79 percent of pet owners prefer that a veterinarian oversee their pet’s care
- 76 percent put their pet’s health and safety above all else as a top priority for veterinary care
- 72 percent prefer to meet a veterinarian in-person before allowing them to care for their pet
- 80 percent agree it would be dangerous for anyone other than a licensed veterinarian to make recommendations about life-or-death decisions for their pet
“Pet owners want to feel confident that their animal companions are receiving the highest quality care. This new research shows that pet owners have a clear preference for in-person and veterinarian-led care, which we know is the best option for animal health,” says AVMA president, Rena Carlson, DVM “The in-person visit and physical examination is the most valuable tool a veterinarian has. It allows them to use sight, sound, touch, and smell to identify potential health issues, supports the collection of diagnostic samples necessary to develop a treatment plan, and helps avoid a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, which can lead to additional animal suffering and more cost for the pet owner.”
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