SOCIAL ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOUR OF DOG OWNERS TO NEUTERING IN SELECTED CLINICS FROM GWAGWALADA AND ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREA COUNCILS, FCT, NIGERIA.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2025-0912-4348Keywords:
dog owners, castration, spaying,, attitude, nigeriaAbstract
Neutering is an important aspect of responsible dog ownership, contributing to population control, reduced roaming, and the prevention of behavioural and reproductive disorders. However, acceptance of the procedure varies across communities and is influenced by sociocultural and educational factors. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and neutering practices of dog owners attending six private veterinary clinics in Gwagwalada and Abuja Municipal Area Councils, FCT, Nigeria, between May and November 2024. A structured questionnaire was administered to 150 respondents to obtain information on educational level, purpose of dog ownership, awareness of neutering, and willingness to undertake the procedure. Most respondents had tertiary education (113/150; 75.3%), followed by secondary (32/150; 21.3%) and primary education (5/150; 3.3%). Security was the major reason for dog ownership (86/150; 57.3%), followed by companionship (46/150; 30.7%). Vaccinated dogs accounted for 131/150 (87.3%). Awareness of neutering was reported by 115/150 (76.7%). Among male dogs, 18/82 (22.0%) had been castrated, while only 4/68 (5.9%) females were spayed. Of owners with intact dogs, 29/128 (22.7%) were willing to neuter in the future, whereas 99/128 (77.3%) were unwilling. Educational level was significantly associated with knowledge of neutering (χ² = 20.77, df = 2, p < 0.001), with tertiary-educated owners more aware than others (OR = 5.35; 95% CI: 2.34–12.21). Male dogs were more likely to be castrated than females (OR = 4.50; 95% CI: 1.44–14.04; p = 0.011). Despite high awareness, neutering uptake remains low. Improved public education and veterinary-led advocacy are recommended to enhance acceptance.
References
Adebayo, O. A., Ogunbiyi, A. O., & Olatunji, O. M. (2021). Knowledge, attitude, and practice of dog owners on pet management in Lagos, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Animal Science, 23(2), 45–53. Retrieved from https://www.njas.org.ng
Adedeji, A. J., Olugasa, B. O., & Fagbamila, I. O. (2022). Dog population management and rabies control in Nigeria: A review. One Health Outlook, 4(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42522-022-00063-3
Casey, R. A., Loftus, B., Bolster, C., Richards, G. J., & Blackwell, E. J. (2020). Human-directed aggression in domestic dogs: Incidence, contexts, and risk factors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 222, 104899. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104899
Eze, C. A., Ude, J. N., & Obinwe, V. C. (2022). Perception and practices of dog owners on pet management in southeastern Nigeria. Nigerian Veterinary Journal, 43(2), 123–132. Retrieved from https://www.nvjonline.com
Hart, B. L., Hart, L. A., Thigpen, A. P., & Willits, N. H. (2020). Neutering of male dogs: Effects on joint disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, 570914. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.570914
Hart, B. L., & Hart, L. A. (2022). Selecting pet dogs based on behavioral profiles and gender differences. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 260(2), 182–188. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.22.04.0152
Konok, V., Riemer, S., Lakatos, G., & Kubinyi, E. (2024). Behavioural correlates between castration and breed groups in domestic dogs. BMC Veterinary Research, 20, 97. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-024-03829-1
Kustritz, M. V. R. (2012). Determining the optimal age for gonadectomy of dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 231(11), 1665–1675. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.231.11.1665
Laager, M., Mbilo, C., Madaye, E. A., Naminou, A., Léchenne, M., & Tschopp, A. (2018). The importance of dog population contact network structures in rabies transmission. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 12(8), e0006680, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0006680
McKenzie, B. A., Salmeri, K. R., & Urfer, S. R. (2023). Health risks and benefits of canine gonadectomy: A critical review of recent literature. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10, 1187423.
Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science
McMillan, F. D. (2019). Behavioral and psychological risks in dogs bred for extreme traits. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 32, 21–29. Retrieved from https://www.journalvetbehavior.com
Moxon, R., England, G. C. W., & Payne, R. J. (2024). Effect of neutering timing in relation to puberty on health in the female dog: A scoping review. PLOS ONE, 19(10), e0311779. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0311779
Ngwamah, J. S., Kayode, V. O., Atawodi, J. C., Dakum, Y. D., Halima-Ohida, A., & Shitta, K. B. (2025). Incidence of Echinococcus granulosus in owned dogs in Lokoja Metropolitan, Kogi State, Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 9(3), 29–33. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2025-0903-3342
Olaoye, O. O., Akinbode, R. M., & Aluko, J. O. (2021). Dog owners’ attitudes and determinants of neutering in Ibadan, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 48(4), 733–742. Retrieved from http://www.njap.org.ng
Patronek, G. J., Glickman, L. T., & Moyer, M. R. (2019). Population dynamics of owned dogs and cats in the United States. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 22(3), 240–252. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/waaw20
Powell, L., Edwards, K. M., McGreevy, P. D., Bauman, A. E., & Podberscek, A. L. (2023). Companion animals and human well-being: A systematic review. Animals, 13(6), 1023. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/6/1023
Serpell, J. A. (2006). Beneficial effects of pet ownership on human health and behaviour. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 84(12), 717–720. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0141076806084018
Thrusfield, M. (2010). Veterinary epidemiology (4th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
Urfer, S. R., Wang, M., Creevy, K. E., & Promislow, D. E. L. (2024). Associations between age at gonadectomy and lifespan in Rottweilers. Scientific Reports, 14, 1942. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-01942-x
Westgarth, C., Christley, R. M., & German, A. J. (2021). The health and social benefits of dog ownership. Animals, 11(7), 1985. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/7/1985.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2025 UMEAKUANA Paschal U, I. AJOGI Donken, E. EGWU Grace, GODWIN Enid, F. AJAYI Christiana, O. EGWU Godwin
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
