According to a special report - "Impact of the owner-pet and client-veterinarian bond on the care that pets receive" - by BNResearch, which appeared in the February 2008 edition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, those with a stronger owner-pet bond take their pet to the veterinarian more often, are more likely to follow the vet's recommendations for care, and do a better job at seeking preventive care for their dog or cat before the pet shows any signs of illness. Though pet owners with the strongest client-veterinarian bond were the most loyal and more likely to follow the vet's recommendations, nearly 40% of pet owners said they could easily switch veterinarians. This statistic points to a high level of vulnerability for many practices.

Findings from this study also uncovered the preferences of pet owners to obtain products and services from full-service practices versus alternative channels, such as Internet sites, mail, or low-cost clinics. Furthermore, they were willing to pay more if the product or service was provided by veterinarians.

Overall, the findings of this study revealed that clear and thorough veterinarian communication with the client could ultimately increase pet owner compliance by as much as 40%.

To read the full report, please click on the following link:
Impact of the owner-pet and client-veterinarian bond on the care that pets receive

Or, you can download the article directly from JAVMA's website.