Pets and Veterinarians: The French View Their Pets' Health as a Priority

According to the survey “The French and Their Pets,” conducted by SantéVet and Ipsos for the second consecutive year, dog and cat owners rank their pets’ health as their top concern. To protect them, most opt for common preventive treatments (antiparasitic treatments, deworming, and vaccinations). When faced with a health issue, their first instinct is to take their pet to the vet immediately. In addition, more than half of animal owners say they are very interested in 24-hour medical care. The results also show that, to cover healthcare expenses, many are considering purchasing animal health insurance.   One in two French people owns at least one pet. This national survey, conducted in February 2018 among a sample of 1,000 dog and cat owners, shows first and foremost that they are very attached to their pets. While the main criterion for choosing a dog is its breed (59%), cats are primarily chosen for their appearance (37%). Price, on the other hand, is hardly a factor at all. On average, owners spend €619 to acquire a dog (41% from a breeder) and €222 for a cat (53% from a shelter, 31% from a private individual). Ultimately, 62% bought their dog, while only 15% bought their cat. The survey also shows that animal owners prioritize their pets’ health, ranking it as their top priority. Overall, however, dogs receive better care and monitoring. Dog owners are more likely to seek preventive care and treatments than cat owners:

• antiparasitic treatment: 90% of dogs treated versus 77% of cats;

• anthelmintic treatment: 85% of dogs versus 72% of cats;

• vaccinations: 85% of dogs versus 57% of cats.

  The majority of animal owners who have their pets vaccinated return each year for vaccine boosters (86% of dogs, 73% of cats). As for antiparasitic treatments, they are administered every 5 to 6 months on average. In addition, 59% of dog owners visit the veterinarian for an annual checkup (37% of cat owners). Generally, dogs visit the veterinarian an average of 1.9 times a year (cats 1.1 times), and only 8% of dog owners have not had a veterinary visit in the past twelve months (32% for cat owners). Conversely, sterilization is more common among cats than dogs. And among the 88% of cats that have been sterilized, 40% (versus 31% in 2016) are fed food formulated for sterilized pets, compared to 13% of dogs. Overall, dog owners spend an average of €211 per year at the veterinarian (€166 for cats). If a health emergency resulted in a veterinary bill exceeding €1,000, 19% of cat owners would consider undergoing euthanasia for their pet, compared to 9% of dog owners. In this context, 37% of dog owners and 29% of cat owners consider animal health insurance to be useful, or even very useful, for covering healthcare costs. In France, only 7% of households with a dog and 3% with a cat are insured, compared to 35% in the United Kingdom, for example. Animal health insurance costs an average of €30 per year for a dog and €21 per year for a cat, up from 2016.

Furthermore, more than half of pet owners would be interested in a veterinary clinic open around the clock, or a veterinary service available 24 hours a day to answer medical questions.

When it comes to online behavior, 15% of pet owners consult specialized websites when health concerns arise and describe their pet’s symptoms there (including 30% of dog owners, compared to 22% in 2016). On the other hand, interest in connected devices for pets remains moderate. However, GPS trackers that allow owners to locate their pets in real time are generating some interest, as are smart collars that monitor health and facilitate communication with the veterinarian. The survey also reveals that 25% of active pet owners would like to be able to bring their pet (primarily a dog) to work, but 78% of them work at companies that do not allow pets. When going on vacation, dogs generally accompany their owners. In contrast, half of cat owners never travel with their pets.