Abstract：
Treats are a prevalent aspect of pet care, frequently given by dog and cat caregivers for varying reasons. However, recommendations of reducing or eliminating treat feeding poses a common challenge, leading to potential non-adherence surrounding weight management practices. To explore caregivers\' perceptions and experiences surrounding treat feeding, we conducted five online focus groups with 24 dog and cat caregivers, recruited via an infographic shared on social media using snowball sampling. NVivo12© was used to organize and analyze verbatim transcripts using inductive thematic analysis. Outcomes illustrated three major themes: 1) the role of treats as an important tool for caregivers; 2) considerations for treat selection and provision; and 3) caregivers\' need for more and better information and support related to treats. Participants emphasized the importance of treats for managing behaviours, health-related activities, and enhancing the pet-caregiver relationship. Results suggest that the diverse and valued applications of treats, caregivers\' satisfaction associated with treat-giving, and perceived lack of guidance surrounding treats may present challenges for caregivers in reducing treat feeding with their pets. Findings highlight opportunities to enhance the available resources that can empower both veterinary professionals and caregivers to make well-informed decisions and foster sustainable changes in treat feeding practices to support weight management and overall health. Such considerations can improve client compliance with veterinary recommendations, to promote companion animal health and well-being while fostering the human-animal bond.
摘要：
零食是宠物护理的一个普遍方面，经常给狗和猫的照顾者出于不同的原因。然而,减少或消除治疗喂养的建议构成了一个共同的挑战，导致围绕体重管理实践的潜在不依从性。为了探索护理人员围绕治疗喂养的看法和经验，我们进行了五个在线焦点小组，有24只狗和猫的照顾者，通过使用雪球抽样在社交媒体上分享的信息图表招募。NVivo12©用于使用归纳主题分析来组织和分析逐字记录。结果说明了三个主要主题:1)治疗作为护理人员的重要工具的作用；2)治疗选择和提供的考虑因素；3)护理人员需要与治疗有关的更多更好的信息和支持。与会者强调了对待管理行为的重要性，与健康有关的活动，加强宠物与看护者的关系。结果表明，治疗的多样化和有价值的应用，护理人员与治疗相关的满意度，和感知到周围的指导缺乏治疗可能会给照顾者带来挑战，以减少他们的宠物的治疗喂养。研究结果强调了增强可用资源的机会，这些资源可以使兽医专业人员和护理人员做出明智的决定，并促进治疗喂养方法的可持续变化，以支持体重管理和整体健康。这些考虑因素可以提高客户对兽医建议的依从性，促进伴侣动物的健康和福祉，同时促进人与动物的联系。
