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7 June 2018 Preferences of Pet Owners in Regard to the Use of Insecticides for Flea Control
Miguel Ángel Peribáñez, Carlos Calvete, María Jesús Gracia
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Abstract

A survey conducted from 2002 to 2012 of 759 customers from 84 veterinary practices allows us to examine the habits of dog and cat owners regarding the use of insecticides for flea control. The results indicate that the percentage of animals treated during the 12 mo prior to the survey was not very high (71% in dogs and 50% in cats), considering that 100% of animals included in the study were flea-infested. Statistical analysis shows that animals older than 4 mo are treated more frequently and that dogs are more likely to be treated than cats. Among cats, those living in houses with gardens or farms are treated at a higher rate than those that live in houses without gardens or in flats. The main variable associated with the degree of satisfaction and product loyalty is the active ingredient, and the choice of a commercial product is generally associated with high-efficacy products.The mode of application of a flea treatment does not seem to have a strong influence on pet owner satisfaction or loyalty. Likewise, we do not find a clear correlation between owners' satisfaction and loyalty, so pet owners may find the results of the selected product more or less satisfactory for reasons other than simple effectiveness. Finally, because of the complexity of the life cycle of these ectoparasites, the importance of the advice of a veterinarian when planning flea control is emphasized.

© The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Miguel Ángel Peribáñez, Carlos Calvete, and María Jesús Gracia "Preferences of Pet Owners in Regard to the Use of Insecticides for Flea Control," Journal of Medical Entomology 55(5), 1254-1263, (7 June 2018). https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjy088
Received: 26 January 2018; Accepted: 15 May 2018; Published: 7 June 2018
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KEYWORDS
cat
dog
flea control
insecticide
owner's satisfaction
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