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Table 4 Advantages and disadvantages of the three different analytical/statistical methods that were used to estimate the pet population in the seven studies included in the final analysis of a systematic review examining methods to estimate owned dog and cat populations

From: Methods used to estimate the size of the owned cat and dog population: a systematic review

Analytical/statistical methods used to determine pet population

Which studies used this method

Advantages

Disadvantages

Mean number of dogs/cats per household multiplied by the number of households in the area

Lengerich et al. [47] AVMA [1, 36] Butler and Bingham [19] Ortega-Pacheco et al. [51]

Simple method that does not require complex statistics. Does not rely on large sample sizes.

Prone to selection and measurement biases.

Human density multiplied by number of dogs per human

Slater et al. [5]

Simple method that does not require complex statistics. Does not rely on large sample sizes.

Prone to selection and measurement biases.

Calculations using predictors of ownership

Murray et al. [3]

Improves precision of the population estimates.

Requires large numbers of participants so may be more costly. Can be prone to measurement bias.