According to a new report, Britain’s cat crazy pet owners are convinced their feline friends can understand what they are feeling and even what they are saying.
The survey of 2,000 British cat owners examined the pet-owner bond and revealed that almost half of UK cat owners are convince that their cat can pick up on their feelings.
The study also looked at pet owner’s behaviour when it comes to understanding cat health. The results showed almost half of cat owners – 45% – can’t tell if their cat is sick, with 65% still believing their pet has nine lives.
A further 27% say they rely on ‘Dr Google’ as their main source of pet health advice. The Instinctively Close report, commissioned by Bayer who produce Advantage Flea treatment, includes advice from leading feline specialist vet Dr Sam Taylor.
Dr Taylor advises that cats are complex when it comes to understanding their health as they are programmed by evolution to mask the signs of illness. He adds: “People often ask me what drives their cat’s more curious behaviours. Cat’s natural instincts, whilst part of their independent nature and charm often leave them vulnerable. For example, cats naturally hide any indication of being sick or unwell, such as parasite infestations, as a defence mechanism so they aren’t portrayed as weak or vulnerable in the wild.”
The research also explored feline flea confessions from owners, including how 49% of cat owners have been bitten or seen fleas in their home. It also highlights how 41% owners admit their cat has had fleas in the last year.
Only 16% of cat owners admit their wait to see a flea on their pet before treating them for fleas and that despite this, 40% of owners do not use a preventative product on their cat.
Dr Taylor warns that, as is the case with flea infestations, parasites can lay dormant in a household for months before finding a suitable host and that 95% of the flea population is in the surrounding area and not on the pet, unbeknown to home owners.
To find our more and better understand your cat’s ‘Instinctively Close’ behaviour, cat owners can request a digital copy of the report vita the Drontal and Advantage Facebook page www.facebook.com/DrontalUK
