Expectations for dog ownership: Perceived physical, mental and psychosocial health consequences among prospective adopters

Abstract

Dog ownership is popular worldwide, with most human-dog dyads forming successful attachment bonds. However, millions of dogs are surrendered to animal shelters annually, possibly due to mismatches between owner expectations and the realities of dog ownership. The aim of the current study was to explore the benefits and challenges people expect from dog ownership and how these expectations vary with previous ownership history. An Australian-wide sample of 3465 prospective adopters completed a self-administered online questionnaire about the physical, mental and psychosocial health benefits and challenges they associated with dog ownership. Among the potential benefits, respondents expected increased walking (89%), happiness (89%) and companionship (61%) and decreased stress (74%) and loneliness (61%). Among the challenges, they expected increased responsibility (64%) and dog training (62%). Ownership history influenced respondents’ expectations, with previous/current dog owners having consistently greater odds of expecting benefits and reduced odds of expecting challenges than non-owners. A possible explanation is that previous/current dog owners’ exhibit bias when considering dog ownership by selectively recalling positive experiences from previous ownership. Our findings support the need for education of prospective dog owners to ensure their expectations align with the reality of ownership, based on current scientific evidence.

Opinions towards Companion Animals and Their Welfare: A Survey of Croatian Veterinary Students

“…Indeed, it may eventually lead to the CA failing to meet the owner's expectations, impaired pet welfare and irresponsible pet ownership, breaking the owner-animal relationship, and at the worst animal relinquishment. Previous studies have pointed to the need for targeted education of the potential pet owners to ensure their expectations be aligned with the reality of pet ownership [39] and to reduce relinquishments [40]. For example, Plitman et al [41] found that owners of brachycephalic cats were less inclined to get due information prior to buying the cat and that, once owning it, they did not consider their cats healthy (in particular due to their skin and eye condition), as compared with the owners of other pedigree cats.…”

The effects of interacting with fish in aquariums on human health and well-being: A systematic review

“…Companion animal guardianship has been linked with improved physical and psychological outcomes, including lower blood pressure [1,2], reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and lower rates of mortality [3,4], reduced loneliness [5], and increased emotional support during mental health crisis [6]. In fact, research has indicated that many people choose to keep companion animals for reasons associated with well-being, such as companionship, emotional support, and improved physical health [7,8]. Similarly, animal-assisted interventions (AAI) are initiated with the specific purpose of improving one or more aspects of human well-being; they include goal-oriented animal-assisted therapies delivered by healthcare professionals, and animal-assisted activities which are often volunteer-led and may lack specific treatment goals [9].…”

Reported Acquisition Practices of Australian Dog Owners

“…There is an increasing awareness of the roles that dogs play in the lives of their owners. Dog owners may list many reasons for acquiring a dog and there is increasing research that explores why owners acquire dogs and the associated benefits and challenges of dog ownership [12]. Benefits that dogs may provide include providing support, companionship, social engagement [13], and increased physical activity [14].…”