Demographic Characteristics of Companion Animals Presented to a Nigerian Veterinary Teaching Hospital: A 13-Year Retrospective Study (2006-2019)

Abstract Background Up-to-date demographic data on companion-animal populations are essential for veterinary service planning, disease surveillance and client education, yet such data remain scarce in Nigeria and much of sub-Saharan Africa, where pet registration is not compulsory and statutory disease notification is limited. This study describes the demographic characteristics species, breed, sex, age, and naming patterns of companion animals presented to the University of Ibadan Veterinary Teaching Hospital (UI VTH), a referral center for South-Western Nigeria. Results Records of 6,102 companion-animal consultations at UI VTH between January 2006 and May 2019 were reviewed. Dogs accounted for 6,053 presentations (99.2%), followed by cats (25; 0.41%), non-human primates and Cuniculus-species animals (6 each; 0.098%), avian species (4; 0.066%), rabbits (2; 0.033%) and swine (1; 0.016%). Among dogs, the Alsatian (German Shepherd Dog) was the most frequently presented breed (1,810; 29.9%), followed by the Boerboel (960; 15.9%) and Rottweiler (934; 15.4%). Local (non-pedigree) cats predominated among feline presentations (13/25; 52.0%). Female dogs (3,333; 55.2% of records with sex recorded) outnumbered males (2,703; 44.8%), and female cats (17; 68.0%) similarly outnumbered males (8; 32.0%). Dogs aged 104 weeks (approximately 2 years) were most frequently presented (441 records), and the oldest dog recorded was 520 weeks (10 years); the oldest cat recorded was 624 weeks (12 years). "Jack" was the most common pet name (122 records), followed by "Bruno" (93) and "Puppy" (78). Conclusions This 13-year retrospective review confirms that dogs and large guarding breeds, particularly the Alsatian, dominate the companion-animal population presenting for veterinary care in South-Western Nigeria, with a preponderance of female animals and a concentration of presentations among dogs beyond early adulthood. These findings provide a baseline demographic profile that can inform veterinary service planning, targeted client education, and future longitudinal and health-status surveillance in the region.