10:06 AM
-
0
Comments
The cat’s out of the bag – Australia is officially a nation of cat lovers with new research revealing that nearly all owners (91%) say their furry felines are a member of their family, a constant companion (84%) and help them through tough times (77%)[1].
The research also revealed that cat owners prioritise preventative healthcare for their feline companions, with 8 in 10 saying regular parasite control is important, and 7 in 10 believing it’s important to protect their cat from infectious diseases and parasites.
However, despite these sentiments, the study revealed that more than 4 out of 5 cat owners are not following best practice guidelines of deworming their cats monthly and using year-round flea control [2]. As some cat parasites can infect and cause disease in people, this places their cats and themselves at risk. As many cat owners will attest, the survey also highlighted that the stress of medicating cats may be a contributing factor to this undertreatment, with nearly half saying they find administering tablets stressful for their cat (46%) and themselves (45%).
The findings come as Australia’s first and only all-in-one parasite protection for cats, NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-on for Cats launches today. This game-changing parasiticide protects against fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm, lungworm and intestinal worms, including tapeworm, with one simple monthly topical application.
Feline expert and veterinarian, Dr Katherine Briscoe says, “The launch of NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-on for Cats marks an innovation breakthrough in parasite control.
Parasite protection is a critical aspect of preventative healthcare for cats, but it is also important in protecting cat owners too, as some cat parasites can cause disease in people.
“The results of the survey highlight that despite the best intentions, most cat owners are not doing enough to protect their cats or their families against parasites, with the stress associated with administering medication highlighted as an important reason for this. This product addresses what cat owners are looking for with 7 in 10 (76%) stating all-in-one treatments and ease of application are important when considering parasite control,” she said.
More than 80 percent of owned cats in Australia have some access to the outdoors [3] with 7 in 10 cat owners saying their decision to provide their cat with outdoor access is because it’s beneficial to their mental (76%) and physical (74%) wellbeing.
Dr Katherine says, “Cats and their natural behaviours and instincts place them at high risk of parasites, for example, in outdoor cats, roaming exposes them to fleas, ticks and intestinal parasite eggs and larvae shed by other pets and wildlife.
“Grooming behaviour can also result in ingestion of fleas containing flea tapeworm larvae, and hunting exposes cats to roundworm, lungworm and tapeworms carried by the animals they prey upon.”
Of those owners keeping their cats indoors, nearly 7 in 10 (68%) state they did so to protect them from infectious diseases and parasites. While outdoor cats are at greater risk of acquiring parasites, their indoor counterparts can’t avoid them entirely, with exposure possible via contact with worm eggs brought in on shoes, preying on parasite-infested pests such as rodents, slugs or snails that enter the home, or being bitten by a heartworm-infected mosquito.
Dr Katherine continued, “The research highlighted this is a commonly held misconception among owners of indoor cats, with around 50% of owners who don’t treat their cats for parasites citing this as the reason. While the risk of parasites is undoubtedly lower for such cats, it is still there. In fact, a study from overseas showed that 1 in 5 cats who tested positive for intestinal worms were described by their owners as “indoor only”[4].
“We know how important preventative healthcare is in cats, yet historically compliance with recommendations has been very poor for many cats. We need to make things “cat” and “owner” friendly to help overcome this.
[1] Online survey of 2,091 cat owners in Australia, July 2023.
[2] Australian Companion Animal Zoonoses Panel (2021) Companion Animal Zoonoses Guidelines
[3] Johnston, L., et al (2017) Demographics, lifestyle and veterinary care of cats in Australia and New Zealand. J Feline Med Surg, 1-7.
[4] Coati, N. et al (2003) Recent investigation on the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in cats from France and Germany. Parasitol Res. 90, S146-S147
“The results of the survey highlight that despite the best intentions, most cat owners are not doing enough to protect their cats or their families against parasites, with the stress associated with administering medication highlighted as an important reason for this. This product addresses what cat owners are looking for with 7 in 10 (76%) stating all-in-one treatments and ease of application are important when considering parasite control,” she said.
More than 80 percent of owned cats in Australia have some access to the outdoors [3] with 7 in 10 cat owners saying their decision to provide their cat with outdoor access is because it’s beneficial to their mental (76%) and physical (74%) wellbeing.
Dr Katherine says, “Cats and their natural behaviours and instincts place them at high risk of parasites, for example, in outdoor cats, roaming exposes them to fleas, ticks and intestinal parasite eggs and larvae shed by other pets and wildlife.
Of those owners keeping their cats indoors, nearly 7 in 10 (68%) state they did so to protect them from infectious diseases and parasites. While outdoor cats are at greater risk of acquiring parasites, their indoor counterparts can’t avoid them entirely, with exposure possible via contact with worm eggs brought in on shoes, preying on parasite-infested pests such as rodents, slugs or snails that enter the home, or being bitten by a heartworm-infected mosquito.
Dr Katherine continued, “The research highlighted this is a commonly held misconception among owners of indoor cats, with around 50% of owners who don’t treat their cats for parasites citing this as the reason. While the risk of parasites is undoubtedly lower for such cats, it is still there. In fact, a study from overseas showed that 1 in 5 cats who tested positive for intestinal worms were described by their owners as “indoor only”[4].
By reducing stress for both cat and owner, the launch of NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-On for Cats will help optimise compliance and will give cat lovers the peace of mind knowing their cat, and their family, are protected against parasites,” she concluded.
For more information on about how to protect cats from parasites, please visit the website: nexgard.com.au/products/nexgard-spectra-for-cats
For more information on about how to protect cats from parasites, please visit the website: nexgard.com.au/products/nexgard-spectra-for-cats
References:
[1] Online survey of 2,091 cat owners in Australia, July 2023.
[2] Australian Companion Animal Zoonoses Panel (2021) Companion Animal Zoonoses Guidelines
[3] Johnston, L., et al (2017) Demographics, lifestyle and veterinary care of cats in Australia and New Zealand. J Feline Med Surg, 1-7.
[4] Coati, N. et al (2003) Recent investigation on the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in cats from France and Germany. Parasitol Res. 90, S146-S147
About NexGard SPECTRA®
NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-on for Cats is the newest product in the NexGard SPECTRA brand family, manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. NexGard SPECTRA for Dogs is Australia’s market leading parasiticide brand with consistent growth since launch in 2017. NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-on for Cats is the perfect extension to the NexGard SPECTRA portfolio, providing the most complete parasite protection, all in one easy, monthly application. NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-on for Cats isAustralia’s first and only all-in-one parasiticide for cats, providing protection against fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm, lungworm and intestinal worms (including tapeworm). See product label for full claim details and directions for use.
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is working on first-in-class innovation for the prediction, prevention, and treatment of diseases in animals. For veterinarians, pet owners, farmers, and governments in more than 150 countries, we offer a large and innovative portfolio of products and services to improve the health and well-being of companion animals and livestock. As a global leader in the animal health industry and as part of family-owned Boehringer Ingelheim, we take a long-term perspective. The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too. By using the synergies between our Animal Health and Human Pharma businesses and by delivering value through innovation, we enhance the health and well-being of both. https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health
MEDIA RELEASE, 20th October 2023
NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-on for Cats is the newest product in the NexGard SPECTRA brand family, manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. NexGard SPECTRA for Dogs is Australia’s market leading parasiticide brand with consistent growth since launch in 2017. NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-on for Cats is the perfect extension to the NexGard SPECTRA portfolio, providing the most complete parasite protection, all in one easy, monthly application. NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-on for Cats isAustralia’s first and only all-in-one parasiticide for cats, providing protection against fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm, lungworm and intestinal worms (including tapeworm). See product label for full claim details and directions for use.
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is working on first-in-class innovation for the prediction, prevention, and treatment of diseases in animals. For veterinarians, pet owners, farmers, and governments in more than 150 countries, we offer a large and innovative portfolio of products and services to improve the health and well-being of companion animals and livestock. As a global leader in the animal health industry and as part of family-owned Boehringer Ingelheim, we take a long-term perspective. The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too. By using the synergies between our Animal Health and Human Pharma businesses and by delivering value through innovation, we enhance the health and well-being of both. https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health
MEDIA RELEASE, 20th October 2023
No comments
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.