Characteristics of the population of dogs and cats in Brazil

Abstract

The precise estimation of the domestic animal population is important for effective health planning. The objective was to verify the applicability in Brazil of the method proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), to estimate the animal population of developing countries, comparing it with data published by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). From the questionnaire prepared by IBGE, specific questions were selected to be submitted for statistical evaluation. The results indicate a population larger than that estimated by the WHO, there is still a low vaccination coverage, and campaigns should be intensified in cats and in rural areas. Rural areas have larger numbers of cats and dogs per household, and the concentration of animals in the cities is higher in neighborhoods consisting of houses than apartments. The dog is the companion animal of choice of Brazilians.