A large-scale survey conducted among dog and cat owners in primarily German-speaking countries assessed feeding practices, preferences, and the acceptance of alternative protein sources. The survey included 8,823 participants and focused on issues such as diet choices, owner demographics, and motivations behind pet food selection.
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Despite a noted interest in alternative protein sources, traditional meat-based diets continued to dominate, with 53.05% of dog owners reporting they feed their pets meat-based dry food daily. However, younger and female pet owners, especially those following a vegan lifestyle, showed significant openness to alternative diets. For instance, 53.9% of vegan dog owners provided their dogs a vegan diet, in contrast to just 10% of vegan cat owners. Insect-based diets were utilized less frequently but considered biologically appropriate by more respondents than vegan options.
The primary concern for owners when selecting diets was pet health, rated the most crucial factor by 78.4% of dog owners and 78.73% of cat owners, while sustainability factors were deemed less important. Only 14.11% of respondents cited veterinary advice as influential in their pet food choices, leaning more towards recommendations from friends, family, or online sources.
Demographic data revealed that the majority of participants were female (93.74%) and predominantly aged between 30 and 60 years. The survey highlighted significant trends, including that most pet owners received their dietary guidance from non-professional sources, suggesting a gap in veterinary nutritional counseling and a need for improved communication on proper pet nutrition.
The findings indicate that various factors, including ethical considerations and personal dietary identity, play a role in shaping owners' decisions, potentially fostering acceptance of alternative proteins in pet diets. However, challenges remain, especially regarding the perceptions of vegan diets' adequacy for obligate carnivores like cats, emphasizing the necessity for further research on the nutritional implications of feeding practices.