Selangor public perceptions of neutering and preventive health measures for the health of cats and dogs

The well-being of companion animals is heavily dependent on public understanding and adoption of preventive health measures, such as neutering, vaccination, and antiparasitic treatments. This study investigated the knowledge and perceptions of Selangor residents regarding these practices and identified the demographic factors influencing their views. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using online and paper-based questionnaires, which covered demographic details, pet management practices, knowledge and perception on veterinary care, and educational intervention. Data were analysed using the IBM SPSS Statistics, employing descriptive statistics and inferential analysis (e.g., Linear Regression and Spearman’s correlation). A total of 381 Malaysians residing in Selangor participated in this survey. Findings showed that most respondents were female (n = 281, 74.5%) and aged between 21-30 years old (n = 172, 45.1%).Most respondentswere also pet owners (n = 351, 92.1%), with the majority having cats (n = 306, 87.2%). Results showed that 97.4% agreed that pets should be vaccinated, and 96.9% of respondents were aware of the importance of neutering, despite 79.5% (n = 303) being concerned about pain after neutering. Furthermore, although 74% (n = 282) of respondents were aware of recommended antiparasitic regimens, adhering to these practices was inconsistent. Age (p = 0.045) and education level (p = 0.006) revealed significant influence towards knowledge on preventive healthcare, meanwhile gender (p = 0.010) showed significance regarding the perception on neutering and preventive healthcare. Selangor residents showed a moderate level of knowledge regarding pet preventive healthcare. Given that most respondents rely on veterinarians as their primary information source, future educational campaigns led by veterinary professionals are essential to improving animal health and welfare in Malaysia.

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