Page 27 - PET worldwide issue 03/2021

10 years of PDSA reports – 10 years of changes

More owners weigh their dog to see if Microchipping for dogs increased from
they are at the correct weight: 70 per cent in 2011 to

24 per cent in 2011 to 92 per cent.
44 per cent in 2020

More cats being kept indoors only: Microchipping increased from
15 per cent in 2011 to 46 per cent in 2011 to

26 per cent in 2020. 74 per cent in 2020.

More rabbits are being fed pellet food: Microchipping for rabbits increased from

53 per cent in 2011 to 3 per cent in 2011 to
80 per cent in 2020. 30 per cent in 2020.

Owners saying that the UK is a nation
of animal lovers:

86 per cent in 2011 to
92 per cent in 2020.

per cent). The new behaviours re- hours on a typical weekday in- in the proportion insured, neu-
ported in cats comprised a wide creased from 75 per cent to 85 tered or treated for fleas. The
range, including yowling, miaow- per cent in the same timeframe. post-lockdown research with cat
ing or vocalising (6 per cent), With regard to cats and rabbits, and rabbit holders revealed that
begging for food (4 per cent) and no particular differences in pet preventive health care had been
waking owners up (6 per cent). companionship were noted dur- maintained during lockdown.
Rabbits were reported to display ing the lockdown. The survey in August didn’t find
biting (9 per cent), growling (8 Covid-19 also had an impact any changes in the percentage
per cent) and boxing (5 per cent) in terms of health. 9 per cent of of owners who reported their cat
behaviours towards their owner dog owners agreed in the post- had been neutered, including
during lockdown. lockdown survey that during those who had owned their pet
How did companionship lockdown they were increasingly for less than a year. The only sig-
change during the pandemic? worried about paying for vet bills nificant change was a decrease
Dog owners reporting that their if their dog were to become ill or in cats that were wormed from
dog was left alone for five or was injured. The number of dog 77 per cent in February 2020
more hours decreased from 20 owners who said their dog was to 74 per cent in August 2020.
per cent in February 2020 to 11 currently registered with a vet Interestingly, the percentage of
per cent in August. The percent- decreased from 92 per cent in cats who were insured rose from
age of dog owners reporting that February to 90 per cent in Au- 36 per cent to 41 per cent in the
their dogs were left alone for 0-4 gust, but there was no change same time period. n

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