Influences of Demographic Factors on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Animal Welfare among Pet Owners in Vietnam

Animal welfare has become an increasingly important issue in rapidly urbanizing societies, particularly in developing countries where pet ownership is expanding. This study was conducted to examine the influence of demographic factors on pet owners’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to animal welfare in Nghe An Province, Vietnam, in 2025 and to analyze the relationships among knowledge, attitudes, and caregiving behaviors. A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 297 pet owners who were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The results indicated that overall knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding animal welfare were moderate, with mean scores of 3.18 ± 0.93, 3.28 ± 0.94, and 3.25 ± 0.93, respectively. No statistically significant associations were observed between demographic characteristics (gender, age, educational level, occupation, and income) and the knowledge, attitude, or practice scores in the adjusted regression models, except for pet ownership experience and the purpose of pet keeping. The results indicated that knowledge had a positive effect on attitudes and practices. Attitudes were identified as the strongest predictor of animal welfare practices. The results confirmed that attitudes partially mediated the relationship between knowledge and practices, with a statistically significant indirect effect. These findings suggested that improving knowledge alone is insufficient to enhance animal welfare practices, and effective interventions should prioritize attitude change and strengthen the role of community veterinary services in promoting responsible pet care.