Study investigates birth, death rates for dogs and cats for the first time

NEW YORK — In a first-of-its-kind study designed to benchmark national pet population trends, a split in the value placed on dogs compared to cats is revealed, as well as the number of animals dying annually by means other than euthanasia.

Insight into the pet overpopulation problem is offered by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP) titled "Birth and Death Rate Estimates of Cats and Dogs in U.S. Households and Related Factors," the report attributes a large number of animal deaths by means other than euthanasia and most births attributed to lack of planning.

The statistics are based on 6,573 returned questionnaires by the dog- and cat-owning public, according to the report.

Conclusions drawn from the study, include a large number of animals dying each year by means other than euthanasia, says Dr. John New Jr., professor and head of the University of Tennessee Department of Comparative Medicine and the report's senior author.

One of the sections of the questionnaire asked owners why pets disappeared from the home in effort to determine the unplanned number of pets leaving the home and whether dogs or cats are more likely to be retrieved.

TABLE 1. Estimates of U.S. cat and dog-owning homes in 1996; Unplanned litters by reason for not having mothers spayed

"One of my gut feelings about the disappeared category is that it also reflects a different standard in society when we look at cats than dogs. I'm not implying owners are less bonded to cats than dogs, but more people are accepting that a cat can wander and disappear for a few days. They may not be as motivated to look for a cat and by the time they contact animal control, it might be too late," New explains.

The study also pinpoints birth and death rates of animals in this country.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) shared data collected in 2001 mirroring similar trends. The association plans to compare these data and release another report by year's end, New adds.

"One of the surprises with the results to me was that the death rates were so similar for dogs and cats," New adds. "One potential confounder is the large number of cats during this one year that were reported to have disappeared compared to dogs. Considering the dynamics of companion animals, cats that are allowed outdoors will change households if they find a better setup."

Data report shows

The crude birth rate for dogs and cats ranks at 11 percent while the death rate for household pets is only 8 percent, according to the report. More than 9 million owned dogs and cats died during the study period (1996 data).

Newsbreak

While there are explanations for what researchers say is a low death number, NCPPSP says there is an underestimation because of the large number of dogs and cats reported to have disappeared from homes.

• The crude birth rate of puppies and kittens born to owned dogs and cats was estimated at 11 percent.

• 6.63 million kittens were born, 82 percent of which were from unplanned litters.

• 6.04 million puppies were born, 43 percent of which were unplanned litters

• 1.3 million more cats disappeared from households than dogs during this period.

• Cost was the most frequent reason for not having the mother of the kittens spayed; "did not know she was in heat" was the most frequent reason for not having the mother of puppies spayed.

What this means

Owners' response to why their pets had litters, left home or died will help veterinarians and those concerned with pet overpopulation approach a solution more effectively.

"Previous research has helped shelters to modify to adapt their programs based on reliable information. These data will also help us to target our work in the areas most likely to reduce the euthanasia of dogs and cats," New says.

Information was also collected on reasons why companion animal caregivers had not had females spayed prior to birth of unplanned litters.

"The problem of overpopulation cannot be solved unless we truly understand all of the factors that lead to planned and unplanned births," says JAAWS co-editor, Stephen Zawistowski, PhD.

Changing trends

There is data suggesting more animals are being spayed and neutered, and the death rate is lower due to better veterinary care.

"There is a shift from animals that die in the home to animals that are euthanized," New adds, "signaling that veterinary care was sought for the pet."

This particular study will set a benchmark so national trends can be measured. Millions of healthy dogs and cats are killed in shelters each year. Affecting the birth rate can affect the numbers of animals in shelters, New says.

The goal of the NCPP is to get reliable data that veterinarians and communities can go to city governments and make a fact-based case about the magnitude of this problem. More city councils and state legislators are more easily swayed by quality data rather than emotion.

New represented one of the associations on the council, as it developed there were four scientists on the council board.

Affect to veterinary clinics

I think the general client would be interested in knowing some general benchmarks, New says. I would hope veterinarians would be using some of the provided information for the profession's benefit.