%0 Journal Article
%T Understanding the context for pet obesity; self-reported beliefs and factors influencing pet feeding and exercise behaviour among pet owners
%A Martin J Downes
%A Catherine Devitt
%A Marie Downes
%A Simon J More
%J PeerJ
%D 2015
%I 
%R 10.7287/peerj.preprints.715v1
%X Pet obesity contributes to increased risk of various diseases, such as cancer and diabetes mellitus as well as worsening of orthopaedic problems, and a reduction in survival rate. Changes in feeding regimes and increased amounts of exercise have been an important component of weight management programs. This study identifies the self-reported beliefs and factors that influence owner behaviour around feeding and exercising their pet. Pet owners were recruited through six different private veterinary practices (three city practices; two in regional towns; and one in a rural area).
%K Cat
%K dog
%K pet ownership
%K behaviour
%K attitude
%K neutering
%K population control
%K qualitative methods
%K focus groups
%U https://peerj.com/preprints/715/