Three Things to Know
A nationwide survey investigated the relationship between dog owner demographics and their veterinary care decisions and practices. While participants expressed similar intentions to seek care for various conditions, actual utilization of services differed.
Higher-income individuals were more likely to receive core veterinary care, such as vaccinations, check-ups, and dental care, in veterinary clinics. Animals of lower-income individuals were less likely to receive care, and they were more likely to rely on mobile clinics or humane societies for these services.
The study also identified a lack of trust in veterinarians among some participants, particularly within minority communities. Addressing this requires increased outreach to these communities and greater representation of minority veterinarians within the profession.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners:
This survey identified several key barriers to accessing veterinary care, including cost, transportation limitations, inflexible clinic hours, and a lack of trust in veterinarians.
These barriers have significant implications for dog welfare professionals working with both free-roaming and shelter dogs. For example, limited access to sterilization services can contribute to an exploding street dog population. Additionally, dogs may arrive at shelters with terminal conditions that could have been prevented or treated earlier.
To address these challenges, it’s crucial to collaborate with veterinary professionals to implement solutions beyond just building low-cost clinics. This includes:
- Flexible clinic hours: To accommodate the schedules of working individuals and families.
- Transportation assistance: To overcome transportation barriers for underserved communities.
- Building trust: To address concerns and improve communication between veterinarians and underserved communities.
Doing so may require creative solutions, such as through better utilizing internship opportunities and training more veterinary technicians.
The Full Picture
Access to veterinary care in the U.S. varies significantly across different demographic groups. Underserved communities often face greater barriers to care, including high costs, limited accessibility, and cultural or educational factors. For instance, studies have indicated that Black and Hispanic/Latinx pet owners may be less likely to seek veterinary care or utilize services like spaying/neutering compared to White pet owners.
However, previous research has often been geographically limited or focused narrowly on specific outcomes, such as sterilization rates. This study, titled “Association between Dog Owner Demographics and Decision to Seek Veterinary Care,” aims to bridge these gaps. By analyzing a large, diverse, national sample of dog owners, the study explores the comprehensive relationship between owner characteristics and their willingness to seek veterinary care. The ultimate goal is to identify key factors that influence access to care and develop strategies to improve care for underserved communities.
Study Methods
Data for this study was collected through an anonymous online survey. A total of 858 self-identified dog owners, all U.S. residents aged 18 or older, participated between June 10 and June 17, 2020.
The survey began with a qualifying question to confirm dog ownership. Participants with multiple dogs were instructed to focus on one specific dog for the remainder of the survey.
The survey then assessed the likelihood of seeking veterinary care for 18 different medical conditions. It also included sections on dog demographics, the owner-dog relationship, previous veterinary care experiences, and barriers to accessing care. Finally, the survey collected demographic information from participants, including gender, race, age, location, education level, income, and employment status.
Study Results
The study revealed significant relationships between demographic variables and the likelihood of seeking veterinary care.
Likelihood in Seeking Veterinary Care
When presented with a list of 18 hypothetical medical conditions, survey participants indicated the highest likelihood of seeking veterinary care for serious conditions such as joint pain, trauma, and end-of-life care, with over 70% expressing a strong intention to seek treatment. Conversely, they were less likely to seek care for conditions like vomiting, behavioral problems, and weight gain, with approximately 50% stating they would be unlikely to seek treatment. Notably, these likelihoods did not vary significantly across different demographic groups.
However, demographic factors significantly influenced actual veterinary care behaviors. Older adults, higher-income individuals, and those with some college education or an Associate’s degree were more likely to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies and to have visited a veterinarian recently. These groups also utilized a wider range of veterinary services, including annual check-ups, vaccinations, medications, and dental care, primarily accessing these services through traditional veterinary clinics. In contrast, people of ethnic minorities and lower-income individuals were more likely to utilize services offered by humane societies, animal shelters, or mobile veterinary clinics.
Barrier to Veterinary Care
The study revealed several barriers to accessing veterinary care across different demographic groups. Cost emerged as the most significant barrier, affecting nearly half of all participants, aligning with previous research. However, the study highlighted that certain groups, such as Native Americans, young dog owners, and those with low incomes, were disproportionately affected by this cost barrier.
Other barriers included transportation limitations, inflexible clinic hours, and a lack of trust in veterinarians. Transportation challenges significantly impacted Black, Native American, and low-income dog owners. Conversely, young, employed, and middle-income individuals expressed a need for more flexible clinic hours.
Mistrust in Veterinarians
Interestingly, a subset of participants, including males, Black Americans, and those with higher education levels, reported mistrust in veterinarians, although this mistrust was not necessarily linked to poor prior encounters. The findings suggest that the lack of trust among some racial and ethnic minority groups may stem from historical and systemic disparities in access to care, mirroring similar issues in human medicine. The underrepresentation of minority veterinarians (for example, according to the 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 1.3% of veterinarians are Black or African American) may also contribute to this distrust. Some participants, particularly Black and Native American dog owners, reported self-treating their dogs, indicating a potential gap in understanding the importance of professional veterinary care.
This underscores the need for targeted education and outreach programs to address misconceptions and build trust within underserved communities. Veterinarians can improve access by offering resources like low-cost clinics, mobile services, and culturally sensitive communication strategies. Outreach and education efforts focused on the benefits of preventative care and addressing barriers to access could significantly improve overall animal welfare and public health outcomes, particularly among minority and economically disadvantaged groups.
Conclusion
This study investigated American dog owners’ decisions about veterinary care. While the likelihood of seeking care for specific medical conditions was similar across demographics, significant differences emerged in veterinary care practices and barriers to accessing care.
These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions. By focusing resources on groups facing specific barriers, the veterinary community can improve access to care. Building stronger client-veterinarian relationships within racial and ethnic minority communities is crucial. This can be achieved through focused education, outreach programs, and community-based veterinary initiatives, ultimately improving canine welfare and veterinary care for all.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Owned Dogs > Cost of Ownership > Vet Care
Year of Publication:
2021
External Link:
Park RM, Gruen ME, Royal K. Association between Dog Owner Demographics and Decision to Seek Veterinary Care. Veterinary Sciences. 2021; 8(1):7. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8010007