Understanding of five welfare needs at an all time low

Findings from the UK's latest pet welfare report have revealed that 8.3 million pet owning households are unfamiliar with the five basic welfare needs - an all time low.

Released annually, the PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report provides an insight into the health and wellbeing of the nation's pets, with this year's assessment being the charity's largest so far.

Results from this year make for disturbing reading, according to the charity, demonstrating shortcomings in owner understanding of the laws of pet ownership, as well as the dietary, exercise, training and social needs of companion animals.

According to the latest report, more than half of the UK's dogs are still given human leftovers, while only 5 per cent of cat owners consider their pet's body shape and weight before choosing how much to feed.

In addition to this, just 35 per cent of dogs are getting daily off-the-lead exercise. A combination of poor diets and too little exercise is to blame for an obesity epidemic which the charity says has resulted in one third of dogs and a quarter of cats in the UK suffering obesity.

Likewise, the report found that 18 per cent of rabbits are not given daily opportunities for exercise, compared to 4 per cent in 2011. This equates to 140,000 more rabbits not getting the exercise needed to stay healthy.

The PAW report has also highlighted a lack of understanding of the social needs of pets, with 65 per cent of rabbits in the UK still living alone, despite being a highly social species.

Similarly, one in four dogs are regularly left alone for five hours or more, a significant upswing compared to figures from 2011. This means around 1.9 million dogs in the UK are home alone for longer than recommended, with potentially serious behavioural consequences.

Meanwhile, around 4.5 million dogs did not attend training classes before they were six months old, while 63 per cent of pet owners reported being frightened or worried by another dog's behaviour.

Preventative treatments were also highlighted as a concern within the report, as around 2.3 million of Britain's cats are at risk from diseases such as feline influenza and feline leukaemia virus as they have not been vaccinated.

Commenting on the latest PDSA report, BVA president Robin Hargreaves said: "By tracking trends year-on-year the PAW Report is helping the veterinary profession to see where our initiatives have made an impact.

"For example, by working together the veterinary profession, PDSA and other charities have helped raise awareness of the importance of microchipping in a short space of time. But across a range of health and welfare issues there is a huge amount more to do."

Despite this year's worrying figures, the report also found that 88 per cent of the public felt Britain is a nation of animal lovers, and 91 per cent said regular monitoring of pet health is important.

Nicola Martin, head of welfare at the charity said: "It is clear from this year’s Report findings that many UK pets are missing out on [the five animal welfare needs], not because owners don’t care, but because there is a broad misunderstanding out there about what pet wellbeing really means."

In order to address this lack of understanding, the charity has launched the PDSA Big Pet Check, a digital tool aimed at giving owners an insight into their pet's wellbeing. Owners are asked a few simple questions and given advice on how to improve their pet's life.

"We want to help the public turn their affection for their pets into a positive action to help make a better life for the UK's pet population," Nicola explained.

Mr Hargreaves concluded: "I would encourage all vets in practice to read the PAW Report, which highlights areas of particular concern with an ‘Action needed’ stamp, and to promote the PDSA’s Big Pet Check.
 
"Education is key. Many health and welfare problems are preventable and by all pulling together we can help to make a real difference to the wellbeing of the nation’s pets."

Read the PAW Report and take the Big Pet Check here.
https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-health-advice/pdsa-animal-wellbeing-report 

Images courtesy of PDSA