- During the animal’s illness, every second (53%) owner declares that he focuses all his attention on the dog, often giving up other duties and activities.
- Carers pay attention to the role of nutrition during a quadruped disease. Almost 90% of them believe that proper food can support the treatment process. It is important that it not only works, but also tasted the dog and is of good quality.
- Every third respondent claims that there is a need to introduce days off for caring for a pet.
Disease time – a time of difficult emotions and full mobilization
Logistics is not the biggest challenge for pets of quadrupeds, but … the heart. Almost 50% of respondents admitted that during the care of a sick dog they felt helplessness.
As many as 45% indicated that they were most burdened with the sight of the suffering dog. The care of a sick pet is also accompanied by other, very different emotions, most often: responsibility (52%), fear (50%) and stress (45%), but also sensitivity (45%) and love (almost 40%). Treatment and diagnosis are also great financial challenges – costs are a serious burden on home budgets, which further complicates the situation of guardians. Almost half (49%) of respondents had to determine the priorities regarding the household budget so as to be able to cover expenses for supporting the dog in the disease. But … on the other hand, the owners of quadrupeds do not want to save on their health – 71% of study participants declare that they are ready to spend more on high -quality treatment support.
More empathy and … days off for a sick pet?
PSA disease has a significant impact on the daily functioning of their owners. Over half of them admitted that they then focused all their attention on the animal (55%), often at the expense of other matters – 32% neglected home duties, and 27% had to give up work, leave or social events.
Although most dog owners can count on understanding and support from their loved ones (66%) and their help (62%), as much as 30%admits that they meet with a lack of empathy from the environment. Nearly half of the respondents (48%) declare that they expect more social understanding for the situation in which their dog is sick. It is building that almost half of the respondents met with support and understanding at work (48%).
Interestingly, as many as a third of respondents believe that there should be a right to a short care leave or a few days off, which could be used to care for a sick pet.
Important role of veterinary foods
Poles are becoming more and more conscious carers. They know that, as in the case of people – nutrition is of key importance for the health of their animals. As many as 65% of the owners heard about veterinary feeds, and 40% of them reached for them during their illness. Almost 90% believe that the diet can affect the dog’s health and support the treatment process. Importantly, the vast majority of people using such foods are satisfied with the effects. Digestive or intestinal (51%) and food allergies and intolerances (31%) are the main reasons for choosing veterinary foods. Their choice is primarily influenced by the recommendations of veterinarians (55%), diet effectiveness (35%) and quality (35%). For 55%, it is important for veterinary food to contain ingredients that help in the disease. PSA disease is a difficult experience for both his guardian and the whole family.
We see that the owners of sick animals after making a diagnosis are looking for the right food. We notice that they are increasingly making this decision consciously, which is confirmed by the results of the research. The owners do not want to compromise, they want the veterinary diet not only to work, but also tastes the dog and to be of good quality. This is important for up to 81% of respondents. At the same time, many of them are afraid that they must choose between the effectiveness and quality of the four -legged diet (39%). Vet Expert has been offering food for years that do not require compromise and comprehensively care for the dog’s needs in the disease. Importantly, our products were developed by veterinarians – experts in the field of veterinary dietetics. Their effectiveness is confirmed by satisfied dog carers – as many as 96% of them are satisfied with the use of our diets 1 – says Izabela Cupiał, Brand Leader from Vet Expert.
Poles want the best for their pets – and more and more often they treat them not only like friends, but like full family members. The growing expectations for the environment, and even demands for the right to care leave, show how strong the bond between people and their animals is.
