FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / N Z Vet J / Cross-sectional survey of pet ownership, veterinary service ...
New Zealand veterinary journal2019; 67(6); 306-314; doi: 10.1080/00480169.2019.1645626

Cross-sectional survey of pet ownership, veterinary service utilisation, and pet-related expenditures in New Zealand.

Abstract: To describe the demographics of and predictors for pet ownership, reasons for visiting a veterinarian, and pet-related expenditure in pet owners in New Zealand. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from 18-22 June 2015 using a permission-based panel of New Zealand residents aged ≥18 years. Questions included demographics of respondents, number of pets and reasons for owning or not owning pets, number of visits and reasons for visiting a veterinarian, and pet-related expenditure. Of the 1,572 respondents who completed the survey, 1,013 (64.4%) owned ≥1 pet. Of these, 443 owned dogs, 696 cats, 32 horses, 103 birds, 55 rabbits, and 159 owned fish. Companionship was the most common reason for getting dogs, cats, and birds; horses were mostly owned as a hobby, rabbits to provide fun for children, and fish as a source of relaxation. The majority of dog, cat, and rabbit owners considered their pets to be family members; horse owners almost equally considered their horses a hobby or a family member. The odds of pet ownership increased for respondents from a rural region, having a higher household income, having children and being female. Overall, 711/1,013 (70.2%) pet-owning respondents had taken ≥1 animal to the veterinarian in the previous year, with the most common reasons being for vaccination or annual check-ups or health issues. Respondents who considered their pets trusted companions, had a higher income, and owned dogs or cats compared with other species, were most likely to have taken their pet to a veterinarian. The greatest pet-related expenditure for all species was food. The median yearly veterinary expenditure was $200-499 by dog owners, $100-199 by cat owners, and <$100 by horse, bird, rabbit, and fish owners. The best source of information for pet-related issues was considered to be veterinarians by 724/1,001 (72.3%) owners, and the internet by 509/1,001 (50.8%) owners. Among survey respondents, pet ownership was common and pets filled a variety of roles in the household. Pet owners reported spending considerable amounts of money on their pets each year, but some of them may be underutilising veterinary services despite veterinarians being considered as valuable sources of information about pet-related issues.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2019-08-04 PubMed ID: 31319781DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2019.1645626Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This New Zealand-based study details demographics and predictors of pet ownership, the reasons pet owners visit vets, and pet-related expenses. It notes that amongst the survey respondents, pet ownership is popular, with various roles for pets within households, and considerable expenditure on pets.

Overview of Research Methodology and Findings

  • The cross-sectional survey was conducted online over a span of 5 days in June 2015 on a panel of New Zealand citizens aged 18 or over. Among the 1,572 respondents that completed the survey, 64.4% owned at least one pet.
  • The number of pets and the reason for owning or not owning pets were asked. Pets ranged from dogs and cats to horses, birds, rabbits, and fish. The most common reason cited for owning dogs, cats, and birds was companionship; horses were owned mostly as a hobby; rabbits were owned for children’s enjoyment; and fish ownership was often for relaxation purposes.
  • Of the respondents with pets, 70.2% took their pets to the vet in the past year, most commonly for vaccination, annual check-ups, or health issues. Those who contributed towards their pet’s welfare, had higher incomes, or owned cats or dogs were more likely to visit the vet.
  • Socioeconomic factors such as rural living, higher household income, presence of children in the household, and being female were found to increase the odds of pet ownership.

Spending Patterns and Information Sources

  • The lion’s share of pet-related expenditure was on food, with the median annual veterinary expenditure by cat owners being less than for dog owners. Veterinary expenditure was lowest for horse bird, rabbit and fish owners.
  • Concerning sources of information on pet-related issues, 72.3% of owners identified vets as the most reliable source, and 50.8% preferred the Internet.

Concluding Observations

  • The study concludes that pet ownership in New Zealand is popular, with pets playing a variety of roles in homes. Notable amounts of money are spent on pets every year.
  • However, it was noted that some pet owners might not be making full use of veterinary services, which is of concern, as veterinarians are regarded as a crucial source of information about pet-related issues.

Cite This Article

APA
Gates MC, Walker J, Zito S, Dale A. (2019). Cross-sectional survey of pet ownership, veterinary service utilisation, and pet-related expenditures in New Zealand. N Z Vet J, 67(6), 306-314. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2019.1645626

Publication

New Zealand veterinary journal
ISSN: 1176-0710
NlmUniqueID: 0021406
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 67
Issue: 6
Pages: 306-314

Researcher Affiliations

Gates, M C
  • School of Veterinary Science, Massey University , Palmerston North , New Zealand.
Walker, J
  • New Zealand Companion Animal Council , Auckland , New Zealand.
Zito, S
  • RNZSPCA , Auckland , New Zealand.
Dale, A
  • RNZSPCA , Auckland , New Zealand.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Welfare
  • Animals
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Fees and Charges
  • Health Expenditures / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • New Zealand
  • Ownership
  • Pets
  • Veterinarians
  • Veterinary Medicine / economics
  • Veterinary Medicine / statistics & numerical data

Citations

This article has been cited 27 times.
  1. Lopes-Conceição L, Peleteiro B, Araújo N, Dias T, Fontes F, Pereira S, Lunet N. Pet ownership during the first 5 years after breast cancer diagnosis in the NEON-BC cohort. Eur J Public Health 2023 Jun 1;33(3):455-462.
    doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad065pubmed: 37094984google scholar: lookup
  2. Anderson KL, Casey RA, Cooper B, Upjohn MM, Christley RM. National Dog Survey: Describing UK Dog and Ownership Demographics. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 16;13(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13061072pubmed: 36978614google scholar: lookup
  3. Candellone A, Badino P, Girolami F, Ala U, Mina F, Odore R. Dog Owners' Attitude toward Veterinary Antibiotic Use and Antibiotic Resistance with a Focus on Canine Diarrhea Management. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 15;13(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13061061pubmed: 36978602google scholar: lookup
  4. Oosthuizen K, Haase B, Ravulo J, Lomax S, Ma G. The Role of Human-Animal Bonds for People Experiencing Crisis Situations. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 5;13(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13050941pubmed: 36899798google scholar: lookup
  5. Rathish D, Rajapakse J, Weerakoon K. Household preferences for pet keeping: Findings from a rural district of Sri Lanka. PLoS One 2022;17(11):e0277108.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277108pubmed: 36413533google scholar: lookup
  6. Gromek N, Perek-Białas J. Why is pet goods consumption imperceptible for economists? A scoping review. SN Bus Econ 2022;2(11):172.
    doi: 10.1007/s43546-022-00349-5pubmed: 36258697google scholar: lookup
  7. Powell L, Lavender TM, Reinhard CL, Watson B. Pet Owners' Perceptions of COVID-19, Zoonotic Disease, and Veterinary Medicine: The Impact of Demographic Characteristics. Vet Sci 2022 Apr 19;9(5).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci9050195pubmed: 35622723google scholar: lookup
  8. Forrest R, Awawdeh L, Esam F, Pearson M, Waran N. Potential Owner-Related Risk Factors That May Contribute to Obesity in Companion Dogs in Aotearoa New Zealand. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 21;12(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12030267pubmed: 35158591google scholar: lookup
  9. Pienaar EF, Episcopio-Sturgeon DJ, Steele ZT. Investigating public support for biosecurity measures to mitigate pathogen transmission through the herpetological trade. PLoS One 2022;17(1):e0262719.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262719pubmed: 35061831google scholar: lookup
  10. do Vale B, Lopes AP, Fontes MDC, Silvestre M, Cardoso L, Coelho AC. A Cross-Sectional Study of Knowledge on Ownership, Zoonoses and Practices among Pet Owners in Northern Portugal. Animals (Basel) 2021 Dec 13;11(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11123543pubmed: 34944317google scholar: lookup
  11. Arauz PG, Chiriboga P, García MG, Kao I, Díaz EA. New technologies applied to canine limb prostheses: A review. Vet World 2021 Oct;14(10):2793-2802.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.2793-2802pubmed: 34903941google scholar: lookup
  12. Rombach M, Dean DL. It Keeps the Good Boy Healthy from Nose to Tail: Understanding Pet Food Attribute Preferences of US Consumers. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 19;11(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11113301pubmed: 34828032google scholar: lookup
  13. López MC, Aybar V, Zatelli A, Vila A, Vega JJ, Hernando E, Jiménez A, Roura X. Is proteinuria a rare condition in apparently healthy and sick cats? A feline practice experience (2007-2018). Open Vet J 2021 Jul-Sep;11(3):508-516.
    doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2021.v11.i3.24pubmed: 34722216google scholar: lookup
  14. Carvelli A, Scaramozzino P, Iacoponi F, Condoleo R, Della Marta U. Size, demography, ownership profiles, and identification rate of the owned dog population in central Italy. PLoS One 2020;15(10):e0240551.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240551pubmed: 33057370google scholar: lookup
  15. Skyner LJ, Cameron KE, Dale A, Walker JK. The Need for a National Accreditation Programme for Professionals Working in the Field of Animal Training and Behavioural Modification in New Zealand. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 29;10(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10071111pubmed: 32610517google scholar: lookup
  16. Awawdeh L, Waran N, Forrest RH. Aotearoa New Zealand pet guardians' attitudes towards the financial cost of pet care. Anim Welf 2025;34:e77.
    doi: 10.1017/awf.2025.10048pubmed: 41446016google scholar: lookup
  17. Endo K, Mutoh A, Ogawa K, Satoh M. Associations Between Pet Type (Co-Walkable, Indoor-Only, and Ornamental Pets) and Well-Being: Findings from a Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study in Japan. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2025 Oct 30;22(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ijerph22111654pubmed: 41302600google scholar: lookup
  18. Yaovi AB, Noudeke N, Gbaguidi J, Setondji JE, Azon MB, Toni GA, Wankanrin RM, Tcheho M, Azokpota P, Baba-Moussa L, Farougou S, Sessou P. Dog breeding practices, hygiene, attitudes, and knowledge of pet owners regarding zoonosis risks in Benin. Open Vet J 2025 Jun;15(6):2626-2650.
    doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i6.33pubmed: 41069485google scholar: lookup
  19. Galarce N, Dumont-Viollaz A, Longa J, Del Río LC, Núñez A, Guzmán-Marín B, Thomson P. Perceptions of antimicrobial use and resistance among pet owners in Chile: A cross-sectional One Health survey. Vet World 2025 Aug;18(8):2450-2459.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.2450-2459pubmed: 41064845google scholar: lookup
  20. Egenvall A, Valle PS, Hoffman R, Höglund OV, Byström A, Lönnell C, Bonnett BN. Prices for veterinary care of dogs, cats, and horses in Sweden and Norway: comparisons between corporate chain, government-run, and independent clinics. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1544996.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1544996pubmed: 40313629google scholar: lookup
  21. Crawford C, Rand J, Forge O, Rohlf V, Bennett P, Scotney R. Feline Farmhands: The Value of Working Cats to Australian Dairy Farmers-A Case for Tax Deductibility. Animals (Basel) 2025 Mar 12;15(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15060800pubmed: 40150329google scholar: lookup
  22. Yim HT, Flay KJ, Nekouei O, Steagall PV, Beatty JA. Pet Dog Choice in Hong Kong and Mainland China: Exploring Owners' Motivations, Behaviours, and Perceptions. Animals (Basel) 2025 Feb 8;15(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15040486pubmed: 40002968google scholar: lookup
  23. Kovačević Z, Tomanić D, Šarić L, Mugoša S, Budinski K, Novaković D, Horvat O. Exploring pet owners' attitudes toward compounded and human approved medicines: a questionnaire based pilot study. Vet Res Commun 2025 Jan 6;49(2):64.
    doi: 10.1007/s11259-024-10635-2pubmed: 39760799google scholar: lookup
  24. Salcedo-Jiménez J, Alcala-Canto Y, Segura-Tinoco J, Valadez-Moctezuma E, Pérez-Rivero JJ. Identifying Zoonotic Parasites in Domiciled and Non-Domiciled Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) Within an Urban Zone of the Eastern State of Mexico. Vet Med Sci 2024 Nov;10(6):e70059.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.70059pubmed: 39422096google scholar: lookup
  25. Jankowska U, Jagielski D, Czopowicz M, Sapierzyński R. Prognostic role of the updated Kiel classification in canine high-grade T-cell lymphomas. Vet Med Sci 2024 Jul;10(4):e1398.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.1398pubmed: 38767567google scholar: lookup
  26. Forrest R, Pearson M, Awawdeh L. Pet Owners' Attitudes and Opinions towards Cat and Dog Care Practices in Aotearoa New Zealand. Vet Sci 2023 Oct 4;10(10).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci10100606pubmed: 37888558google scholar: lookup
  27. Cavasos K, Poudyal NC, Brunner JL, Warwick AR, Jones J, Moherman N, George M, Willard JD, Brinks ZT, Gray MJ. Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions of Pet Amphibian Owners About Biosecurity Practices. Ecohealth 2023 Jun;20(2):194-207.
    doi: 10.1007/s10393-023-01645-8pubmed: 37486511google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.