Love Your Dog Survey Results

According to the results of this survey, dogs hold an important position in Australian households, as respondents shared insights into their relationships with their dogs.

• 51% of respondents walk their dog at least once a day, 44% walk their dog occasionally, though not as often as preferred, and 5% rarely walk their dog.
• 40% socialize their dogs with other dogs at least once a day, while slightly more than half (51%) do so occasionally, and 9% do so only very rarely.
• Half (52%) of dog owners sign greeting cards from his or her dog, while 26% do so sometimes, and 22% do not at all.
• Most dog owners (53%) spend equal amounts of money on self-grooming versus pet grooming, though 22% spend more on their pet and 25% spend more on grooming himself or herself.
• Nearly three-fourths (73%) of dog owners say they spend more time with their dog than their partner or parents/other relatives.
• 76% of dog owners spend more money on their dog than their partner.
• The majority (78%) of dog owners take their dogs to the vet for a health check at least once a year, while 19% visit the vet when their dog is not well.
• 79% of dog owners use regular flea treatments, 13% use them occasionally, and 9%  never use flea treatments.
• The majority (63%) of dog owners believe that  heartworm is spread by mosquitoes, while 30% think it is transmitted through contact with other dogs, and 7% believe it is passed by contaminants in dog food.
• Slightly over half (53%) give their dogs once-a-year heartworm injections, while 41% regularly use tablets or drops and 6% leave their dogs unprotected from heartworm.