HLES_MedsPreventives

About the Medications and Preventives Survey

The Medications and Preventives Survey collects data on dental care, grooming, preventive treatments, vaccination and supplements. Additional data related to diet-based supplementation is available in the Diet and Comprehensive Diet Surveys. Information about specific medical conditions is collected in the Health Status Survey. NOTE: At this time, we do not collect information about medications prescribed for specific medical conditions.

Survey Instrument: HLES Medications and Preventives

Dental care

Dental care by owner
Sample size: 52,599 Count (%)
Dental examination by owner [mp_dental_examination_frequency]
Never 2,525 (5%)
Occasionally 22,488 (43%)
Monthly 8,864 (17%)
Weekly 13,299 (25%)
Daily 5,423 (10%)
Owner brushes dog's teeth [mp_dental_brushing_frequency]
Never 29,161 (55%)
Occasionally 10,653 (20%)
Monthly 3,491 (7%)
Weekly 5,909 (11%)
Daily 3,385 (6%)
Dog receives dental care treats [mp_dental_treat_frequency]
Never 15,099 (29%)
Occasionally 13,510 (26%)
Monthly 3,141 (6%)
Weekly 8,568 (16%)
Daily 12,281 (23%)
Dog receives dental care food [mp_dental_food_frequency]
Never 45,699 (87%)
Occasionally 3,471 (7%)
Monthly 481 (1%)
Weekly 1,090 (2%)
Daily 1,858 (4%)
Dog receives mouthwash or breath freshening supplements [mp_dental_breath_freshener_frequency]
Never 45,506 (87%)
Occasionally 3,282 (6%)
Monthly 451 (1%)
Weekly 897 (2%)
Daily 2,463 (5%)
Professional dental care
Sample size: 52,599 Count (%)
Dog has received dental procedures (all types) [mp_dental_procedure_undergone]
No 35,891 (68%)
Yes 16,708 (32%)
Subset sample size: 16,708 Count (%)
Routine dental cleaning [mp_dental_cleaning]
No 1,457 (9%)
Yes 15,251 (91%)
Subset sample size: 15,251 Count (%)
Timing of last routine cleaning [mp_dental_cleaning_months_ago]
Less than 6 months 3,803 (25%)
6 months - 12 months 4,619 (30%)
More than 12 months 6,774 (44%)
Unknown 55 (<1%)
Dental extraction [mp_dental_extraction]
No 7,799 (47%)
Yes 8,909 (53%)
Subset sample size: 8,909 Count (%)
Timing of last dental extraction [mp_dental_extraction_months_ago]
Less than 6 months 1,574 (18%)
6 months - 12 months 1,813 (20%)
More than 12 months 5,468 (61%)
Unknown 54 (1%)

Grooming

Professional grooming
Sample size: 52,599 Count (%)
Dog receives professional grooming [mp_professional_grooming]
No 31,293 (59%)
Yes 21,306 (41%)
Subset sample size: 21,306 Count (%)
Frequency of professional grooming [mp_professional_grooming_frequency]
Once a year 2,613 (12%)
2 - 6 times per year 12,328 (58%)
7 - 11 times per year 3,449 (16%)
Monthly 2,772 (13%)
Weekly 144 (1%)
Type of shampoo (Multiple choice) [mp_professional_grooming_shampoos]
Flea Or Tick Control 427 (2%)
Medicated 987 (5%)
None 186 (1%)
Other 1,397 (7%)
Regular 12,367 (58%)
Unknown 6,596 (31%)
Grooming by owner
Sample size: 52,599 Count (%)
Dog is washed at home or self-grooming facility [mp_home_grooming]
No 8,892 (17%)
Yes 43,707 (83%)
Subset sample size: 43,707 Count (%)
Frequency of grooming by owner [mp_home_grooming_frequency]
Once a year 2,803 (6%)
2 - 6 times per year 21,089 (48%)
7 - 11 times per year 5,612 (13%)
Monthly 10,218 (23%)
Weekly 3,985 (9%)
Type of shampoo (Multiple choice) [mp_home_grooming_shampoos]
Flea Or Tick Control 2,160 (5%)
Medicated 4,286 (10%)
None 885 (2%)
Other 6,663 (15%)
Regular 33,197 (76%)
Unknown 439 (1%)

Flea, tick, and heartworm preventives

Flea and tick control
Sample size: 52,599 Count (%)
Dog receives flea and tick preventive [mp_flea_and_tick_treatment]
No 8,341 (16%)
Yes 44,258 (84%)
Subset sample size: 44,258 Count (%)
Frequency of flea and tick preventive use [mp_flea_and_tick_treatment_frequency]
Occasionally 2,472 (6%)
Regularly for part of the year or seasonally 13,694 (31%)
Regularly for the entire year 28,092 (63%)
Type of preventive (Multiple choice) [mp_flea_and_tick_treatment_]
Collar 3,843 (9%)
Dip 180 (<1%)
Oral 30,066 (68%)
Other 1,256 (3%)
Topical 14,275 (32%)
Heartworm control
Sample size: 52,599 Count (%)
Dog receives heartworm preventive [mp_heartworm_preventative]
No 10,124 (19%)
Yes 42,475 (81%)
Subset sample size: 42,475 Count (%)
Frequency of heartworm preventive use [mp_heartworm_preventative_frequency]
Occasionally 1,238 (3%)
Regularly for part of the year or seasonally 6,907 (16%)
Regularly for the entire year 34,330 (81%)
Type of preventive (Multiple choice) [mp_heartworm_preventative_]
Injectable 2,895 (7%)
Oral Chewable 37,751 (89%)
Oral Solution 951 (2%)
Other 187 (<1%)
Topical 1,665 (4%)

Vaccination status

Vaccination
Sample size: 52,599 Count (%)
Dog's vaccination status [mp_vaccination_status]
Yes, my dog is vaccinated against various diseases as recommended by my veterinarian. 49,833 (95%)
Yes, my dog is vaccinated only against rabies virus. 1,407 (3%)
Yes, my dog was vaccinated as a puppy but not as an adult. 1,218 (2%)
No, my dog is not vaccinated. 119 (<1%)
I don't know. 22 (<1%)

Medications and supplements

Non-presecription medications and supplements*
Sample size: 52,599 Count (%)
Preventives given in the last year (Multiple choice) [mp_recent_non_prescription_meds_]
Acidify Supplement 458 (1%)
Alkalinize Supplement 448 (1%)
Anti Inflammatory 8,663 (16%)
Antibiotic Ointment 9,484 (18%)
Antihistamine 12,378 (24%)
Ear Cleaner 19,062 (36%)
Enzymes 2,254 (4%)
Eye Lubricant 3,074 (6%)
Joint Supplement 18,239 (35%)
Non Oil Skin 3,411 (6%)
Omega3 15,577 (30%)
Other 5,361 (10%)
Probiotic 14,001 (27%)
Upset Stomach 7,748 (15%)
Vitamin 6,411 (12%)
*Refer to the Diet and Comprehensive Diet Surveys for more data related to supplements.