Behavior and health problems in dogs (Canis familiaris) associated with responsible ownership practices and awareness of legal regulations

Pet ownership continues to increase worldwide, with cats being the preferred species followed by dogs. Since dog-ownership practices can affect animal welfare, it is important to understand the level of owners’ awareness of animal needs and current legislation. Therefore, this study aimed to describe dog owners’ knowledge and practices and determine their association with behavior and health problems in dogs. An online survey was conducted, which included questions about responsible ownership practices and the level of awareness of national animal welfare and pet ownership legislation. Descriptive statistics and ordinal multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. A total of 5,216 individuals responded, of which 3,809 were dog owners. Twenty percent of dogs were described as being overweight or obese, and dogs that were not fed leftovers were less likely to be obese. Additionally, neutered bitches were less likely to be obese than castrated male dogs. In relation to aggressive behavior, 24.6% of owners declared that their dog had shown aggressiveness toward people and 51.1% declared aggressiveness toward other animals. Taking dogs into basic training classes, not taking them out for walks, and living on a farm were all risk factors for aggressive behavior. In terms of owners’ awareness of the current legislation, being moderately or not informed increased the likelihood of not having their dogs identified with a microchip and registered, not keeping their vaccinations updated, or not desexing. An effective educational strategy that uses a multidisciplinary approach is required to improve pet ownership practices in Chile.