Pets

Pet insurance is a financial tool meant to provide financial support to pet owners for veterinary expenses. It was introduced to the Malaysian market in 2010 with several companies offering various subscription packages. However, public awareness of pet insurance has been low compared to other pet-related industries in Malaysia for the past five years. There is also a lack of research on the acceptance and adoption of pet insurance by pet owners in Malaysia. Therefore, this study aims to (i) assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of pet owners regarding pet insurance in Selangor, Malaysia, (ii) determine the associations of sociodemographic factors with the KAP levels, and (iii) determine the correlation between the levels of KAPs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Selangor, Malaysia, and 116 pet owners participated. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis statistics, followed by Chi-square tests of association and a Spearman correlation analysis, which were all performed using IBM SPSS Statistic version 27.0. The results showed that most of the respondents have poor knowledge of (n = 63, 54.3%), moderate attitudes towards (n = 63, 54.3%), and poor practices regarding (n = 87, 75.0%) pet insurance. Significant associations were indicated between income range per month and knowledge and practice (p < 0.05), highest education level and attitude (p < 0.05), and locality of residence and practice (p < 0.05). There is a significant correlation between total knowledge and practice scores (r = 0.649). The poor knowledge of insurance among pet owners in Selangor indicated the need to further increase the awareness of pet owners regarding the benefits of pet insurance through enhanced marketing and public education initiatives.

Pet health insurance can reduce the financial burden of veterinary care and ensure adequate treatment for companion animals. In France, where 67% of households own at least one pet and 68% of owners consider them family members, awareness of pet insurance reaches 94%, yet only around 5–6% of pets are insured. This review aims to provide an overview of the French pet health insurance market, analysing its structure, coverage options, and potential implications for veterinary practice. A literature review was conducted using French and English sources, complemented by simulated price quotes from major insurance companies for four virtual pets (two dogs and two cats). The analysis compared 11 major French pet insurance providers across criteria such as species covered, waiting periods, age limits, coverage rates, reimbursement mechanisms, and preventive care benefits. The results reveal significant variability in coverage options, preventive care allowances, and reimbursement procedures. Across providers, simulated annual premiums for the virtual pets ranged from EUR 71.76 to EUR 1426.44, with reimbursement rates of 50–100% and annual caps of EUR 763–2500. It can be concluded that pet insurance may help owners manage unexpected veterinary costs and encourage preventive care. However, subscription rates remain low due to limited understanding of insurance plans and perceived high costs. Wider adoption of pet insurance could improve access to care and ensure fair remuneration for veterinarians.

The present study is dedicated to exploring key factors impacting US pet owners’ preferences for brand, price, country of origin, and health and nutrition claims as important extrinsic and credence attributes. Pet engagement and subjective and objective knowledge, as well as varying forms of pet humanisation behaviour, were thought to be suitable factors. The study is of an explorative and quantitative nature, rooted in an online consumer survey, descriptive statistics, and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). To strengthen the PLS-SEM model, relative preference shares derived from a best–worst analysis were integrated into the model. The results with the strongest effect sizes indicate that US pet owners’ objective knowledge is positively associated with pet non-humanisation behaviour, those who actively engage with their pet are positively associated with loving humanisation behaviour, and that health and nutritional claims on pet food are less important for those reporting non-humanisation behaviours. The analysis between the varying types of pet humanisation behaviours and the best–worst-derived relative preferences for extrinsic and credence attributes provides a diverse picture. Together, the results suggest that pet engagement and both subjective and objective knowledge are associated with pet humanisation behaviour, which are differentially linked to the importance of pet food product attributes. Best practice recommendations for marketers in the pet food industry are provided.