Análise da utilização de práticas cat friendly: percepção dos veterinários e dos tutores do estado da Paraiba

Abstract

The veterinary care market for domestic cats has grown due to the strong relationship between humans and felines, which has resulted in emotional and physical benefits. In 2012, the Cat Friendly Practice® program was created, which seeks to create welcoming and less stressful environments for cats and owners during consultations. The objective of the present study was to analyze the adoption of Cat Friendly program practices by the veterinary market in Paraíba, from the perspective of veterinarians and feline owners. To this end, data were collected through non-probability sampling using a questionnaire on the Google Forms platform. The target audience included professionals working in veterinary medicine in the state of Paraíba, as well as owners of domestic felines over 18 years of age. The results obtained revealed that veterinarians have different views and practices in relation to the Cat Friendly Program and the specialization in Feline Medical Clinic. Some are interested and familiar with Cat Friendly management, but others do not fully adopt it and are not interested in specialization, due to limitations such as lack of time, investment or perceived need. Regarding owners, many do not maintain regular visits to the veterinarian. Furthermore, research revealed that veterinarians do not provide enough information during consultations, especially about Cat Friendly management. Implementing Cat Friendly techniques can encourage more frequent visits to the veterinarian, contributing to feline well-being and customer satisfaction. Furthermore, the willingness of owners to pay more for consultations with professionals specialized in Feline Medicine highlights the importance of specialization in the area. Thus, Cat Friendly management benefits not only the felines, but also provides a more positive and effective experience for everyone involved.