Why Can’t I Resist Those “Puppy Dog” (or “Kitty Cat”) Eyes? A Study of Owner Attachment and Factors Associated with Pet Obesity

Abstract

Attachment theory posits that patterns of interaction derived from the attachment system provide a starting point for understanding how people both receive and provide care. Extending this theory to human-animal interactions provides insights into how human psychology affects pets, such as pet obesity. The goal of this study was to determine how attachment anxiety and avoidance might contribute to pet obesity. We assessed 563 pet owners’ attachment-related anxiety and avoidance, as well as additional attachment-related constructs (emotional rejection, evaluation concern, caregiving, and attentiveness to a pet). We also assessed various factors associated with pet obesity, including weight, body condition, daily treats, and daily interaction. The results indicate that dog owners high in attachment anxiety are concerned about how their pet may evaluate them, leading to more caregiving and attentiveness that results in more treats given per day, and a larger body condition (but not weight). In addition, owners high in attachment avoidance may seek to downplay the possibility of the dog negatively evaluating them, thus providing more negligent care. These findings suggest that attachment plays a unique role in shaping the pet-caregiver relationship and influences various elements that contribute to pet obesity, particularly in dogs. As such, the findings may lend a novel perspective to strategies for reducing pet obesity and provide a framework for future research into pet health.

Fatores comportamentais de tutores influenciam a obesidade canina

“…Alguns donos de cães possuem falta de conhecimento em relação ao excesso calórico proporcionado aos seus animais de estimação, outros possuem indiferença e não se importam se seus cães estão comendo excessivamente alimentos impróprios. De acordo com Coy et al 8 , alguns donos de cães com alta ansiedade de apego se preocupam se o seu cão irá avalia-lo negativamente por rejeitarem comida aos mesmos, portando mesmo compreendendo a importância de um manejo nutricional adequado, tendem a desrespeitar as recomendações.…”

Pet and owner personality and mental wellbeing associate with attachment to cats and dogs

“…Attachment anxiety has been linked to higher affection toward the pet 32 and providing more caregiving behavior and attention to the pet. 4 , 5 However, attachment anxiety may be distressing for the owner as it has been linked to lower psychological well-being. 2 , 6 Supporting this notion, anxiously attached pet owners scored lower in total well-being in this study as well.…”

“…The strong attachment bond between humans and their pets increases the welfare of both parties, 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 but when compromised, it may increase the owner’s stress and weaken the quality of life. 2 , 6 The attachment framework has been utilized to explain the human-dog and human-cat relationship.…”

Is Dog Owner Obesity a Risk Factor for Canine Obesity? A “One-Health” Study on Human–Animal Interaction in a Region with a High Prevalence of Obesity

“…Further studies are needed to understand how owners’ behaviour negatively influences pet health, especially if they provide neglectful care. The results of Coy et al [ 60 ] suggest that attachment plays an important role in shaping the relationship between pet and caregiver and influences several elements that contribute to pet obesity, especially in dogs. Many questions remain unanswered about health and behaviour conditions affecting dogs, especially those influenced by multiple factors.…”