UK pet owners’ use of the internet for online pet health information

Abstract

The internet has been found to be a popular source for human health information. However, there is a lack of information on pet owners' use of the internet to source pet health information and implications for the owner-veterinarian relationship. Therefore, the aim of this study was to address this gap in knowledge by focusing on UK pet owners' general use of the internet to find online pet health information and the impact of this behaviour on the owner-veterinarian relationship. An online survey targeting UK pet owners resulted in 571 respondents. Respondents reported the most frequently used source for pet health information was the internet (78.6 per cent), followed by their veterinarian (72 per cent). Veterinarians and other pet owners, however, were rated as the most trustworthy sources. The topics searched for most often online were specific medical problems (61.3 per cent) and diet/nutrition (58.5 per cent). Regarding the owner-veterinarian relationship, 42.1 per cent of participants reported discussing information they found online 'sometimes' with their veterinarian. When asked if their veterinarian recommended specific websites, nearly half (49.6 per cent) stated that their veterinarian 'never' made such recommendations, yet over 90 per cent said they would visit veterinarian-recommended websites.

Pilot study of Australian veterinarians and their perceptions and experiences related to online pet health information

“…Although we know that the internet is used to find pets in Australia, it is also likely that pet owners use the internet to find pet health information. Many UK and US pet owners turn to the internet over other sources for their pet health information . Despite the obvious benefits of online pet health information, there are also disadvantages, including a wide variance in accuracy of content, varying accuracy of website authors, user privacy concerns and the potential for reader misinterpretation …”

A pilot study of Australian pet owners who engage in social media and their use, experience and views of online pet health information

“…The most common source of pet health information reported by pet owners was veterinarians followed by the internet. These findings were similar to previous findings in the UK, where Kogan et al reported that the internet (78.6%) was the most popular source of pet information followed by a veterinarian (77.2%). Interestingly, the use of social media as a source for pet health information was lower in the current study (32.0%) than reported use in the UK (56.0%), yet was still the third most commonly reported source.…”

“…For example, Kogan et al analysed results of a survey completed by 571 UK pet owners and found that 78.6% sought pet health information through the internet. Furthermore, 46.8% of these UK pet owners stated that they agree/strongly agree that the pet health information found online ‘ affected my decision about whether to take my pet to the veterinarian ’ . Kogan et al found similar findings for US pet owners and highlighted the importance of accurate, complete and transparent online pet health information.…”

“…As Kogan et al reported, even though growing in use and popularity, the internet has not replaced veterinarians as the primary source for pet health information. Kogan et al found that UK pet owners deem veterinarians as the most trustworthy source of pet health information, with 92% of pet owners reporting feeling that veterinarians as ‘trustworthy’ or ‘very trustworthy’. This trust can translate into proactive directives from veterinarians to help their clients with online pet health searches.…”

“…shown or demonstrated on a clinic computer: 88.3%; written (information prescription): 92.4%; or verbally told: 95%). Yet half of pet owners surveyed stated that their veterinarians ‘never’ recommend specific websites …”