Are Your Clients at Risk? The Alarming Rise of Vaccine Hesitancy Among Pet Owners

In a world where vaccine hesitancy has already impacted human health, a new study reveals that the trend is now creeping into the pet world. Researchers adapted the Parent Attitudes About Childhood Vaccines (PACV) survey to assess vaccine hesitancy among pet owners, uncovering a surprising reluctance to vaccinate furry family members.

The Study

A national survey conducted with 2,853 dog owners and 1,977 cat owners used a modified PACV questionnaire to gauge vaccine hesitancy. Researchers evaluated the validity and reliability of this tool in predicting pet vaccination rates. The study also examined the role of trust in veterinarians and other influencing factors.

Shocking Findings

The results are eye-opening: 21.7% of dog owners and 25.9% of cat owners were classified as vaccine hesitant. While most pet owners acknowledged the severity of preventable diseases and reported trusting their veterinarians, concerns about vaccine safety, side effects, and efficacy were widespread. A majority believed that pets receive too many vaccines, with 86.6% preferring fewer vaccines given at the same time.

What This Means for Pets and Public Health

Declining pet vaccination rates pose serious risks, not just for individual animals but for public health at large. Outbreaks of preventable diseases like rabies and parvovirus could become more common if vaccine hesitancy continues to spread.

The Role of Veterinarians

The study found that strong, long-term relationships with veterinarians were linked to higher vaccination rates. This suggests that open communication and trust between pet owners and veterinary professionals could help combat misinformation and increase vaccine compliance.

The Bottom Line

The PACV has proven to be a reliable tool for identifying vaccine-hesitant pet owners, offering veterinary researchers a way to develop targeted interventions. As pet vaccine hesitancy rises, addressing misinformation and fostering trust in veterinary medicine will be crucial to ensuring the health and safety of pets everywhere.

Read full study here: https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/ajvr/86/2/ajvr.24.06.0163.xml