Attitudes of pet owners toward pet foods and feeding management of cats and dogs

Michel, Kathryn E.; Willoughby, Kristina N.; Abood, Sarah K.; Fascetti, Andrea J.; Fleeman, L. M.; Freeman, Lisa M.; Laflamme, Dorothy P.; Bauer, C.; Kemp, B.; Doren, J.R. Van

doi:10.2460/javma.233.11.1699

Cited by 64 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Prior studies have reported that pet owners and dog breeders consider veterinarians their primary source for information regarding their pet’s nutrition and health care (Connolly, Heinze & Freeman, 2014; Freeman, Janecko & Weese, 2013; Kienzle, Bergler & Mandernach, 1998; Laflamme et al, 2008; Michel et al, 2008). However, less than half of dog breeders actually ask their veterinarian for nutritional advice (Connolly, Heinze & Freeman, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, less than half of dog breeders actually ask their veterinarian for nutritional advice (Connolly, Heinze & Freeman, 2014). Furthermore, pet owners that feed noncommercial diets are less likely to trust their veterinarian to provide sound nutritional advice (Connolly, Heinze & Freeman, 2014; Michel et al, 2008). Thus, while veterinarians are considered trusted and knowledgeable authorities on pet nutrition and healthcare, there remains a disconnect between what clients feed pets and the resources clients actually use in making diet choices.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Survey of owner motivations and veterinary input of owners feeding diets containing raw animal products

Morgan

Willis

Shepherd

2017

PeerJ

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BackgroundThe practice of feeding of diets containing raw animal products (RAP) to pets (dogs and cats) is discouraged by veterinary organizations and governmental public health organizations. Nevertheless, the practice of feeding RAP to pets is increasing in popularity. Pet owner motivations for feeding RAP diets to pets have not been explored and the benefits of RAP diets remain largely anecdotal. We hypothesized that pet owners feeding RAP diets would not rely on veterinary advice in choosing their pet’s diet. We also hypothesized that these owners would have lower levels of trust in veterinary advice with respect to nutrition relative to pet owners not feeding RAP.MethodsAn anonymous web-based survey was developed to identify pet owner motivations for feeding RAP diets, and to characterize the veterinarian-client relationships of individuals feeding RAP diets.ResultsThere were 2,337 respondents and 2,171 completed surveys. Of survey respondents, 804 reported feeding RAP at the time of the survey. While 20% of pet owners feeding RAP relied on online resources to determine what or how much RAP to feed, only 9% reported consulting with a veterinarian in making decisions about feeding RAP. Pet owners feeding RAP reported lower levels of trust in veterinary advice both ‘in general’ and ‘with respect to nutrition’ than pet owners not feeding RAP. Most pet owners reported that a discussion regarding their pet’s nutrition does not occur at every veterinary appointment.DiscussionPet owners feeding a RAP diet have lower trust in veterinary advice than pet owners not feeding a RAP diet. Owners feeding RAP are more reliant on online resources than their own veterinarian in deciding what and how much RAP to feed. Pet owners perceive that nutrition is not discussed at most veterinary appointments. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the veterinarian-client communication with regards to nutrition.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of owner motivations and veterinary input of owners feeding diets containing raw animal products

Morgan

Willis

Shepherd

2017

PeerJ

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“…Diet is a component of lifestyle that plays an important role in the development of overweight and obesity in humans (Beunza et al., 2010). Pet owners play an active role in determining the diet of their pets, and the vast majority of pet dogs in developed countries are fed with commercial diets (Laflamme et al., 2008; Michel et al., 2008; Becker et al., 2009a; Courcier et al., 2010; Sallander et al., 2010). The widespread use of nutritionally complete and balanced commercial diets has been cited as a contributing factor for longer, healthier life spans in pets (Kraft, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preferences of owners of overweight dogs when buying commercial pet food

Suárez

Peña

Carretón

et al. 2011

Animal Physiology Nutrition

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Most pet dogs in developed countries are fed commercial diets. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preferences of owners of overweight dogs when buying commercial pet food. The study was a descriptive observational multi-centre study on a group of 198 owners of urban household dogs. Personal interviews were conducted to examine the owners' opinions with questions rating the importance of certain qualities of prepared dog food. Bivariate analyses for comparisons of absolute means between groups of owners of dogs with excess weight (n = 137) and owners of normal weight dogs (n = 61) were made using the Mann-Whitney U-test. A low price (p < 0.001) and special offers (p = 0.008) of commercial dog food were more important for owners of dogs with excess weight than for owners of normal weight dogs. The quality of ingredients (p = 0.007) and the nutritional composition (p < 0.001) were more important for owners of normal weight dogs than for owners of dogs with excess weight. The veterinarian was the most important source of information on dog nutrition for both groups (83.6% for owners of normal weight dogs and 83.2% for owners of dogs with excess weight) (p = 0.88). The owners of dogs with excess weight had less interest in corrected dog nutrition than owners of normal weight dogs (p < 0.001).

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“…The anthropomorphism of pets continues to increase and has influenced the way in which companies formulate and market pet foods and treats to consumers. The quality of ingredients and having meat-based diets are important factors that pet owners consider when choosing a pet food (64, 65). However, most owners do not know or consider that dogs and cats, like all animals, require specific nutrients—not ingredients.…”

Section: Current Status Of Knowledgementioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional Sustainability of Pet Foods

Swanson

Carter²,

Yount³

et al. 2013

Advances in Nutrition

105

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Sustainable practices meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Applying these concepts to food and feed production, nutritional sustainability is the ability of a food system to provide sufficient energy and essential nutrients required to maintain good health in a population without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their nutritional needs. Ecological, social, and economic aspects must be balanced to support the sustainability of the overall food system. The nutritional sustainability of a food system can be influenced by several factors, including the ingredient selection, nutrient composition, digestibility, and consumption rates of a diet. Carbon and water footprints vary greatly among plant- and animal-based ingredients, production strategy, and geographical location. Because the pet food industry is based largely on by-products and is tightly interlinked with livestock production and the human food system, however, it is quite unique with regard to sustainability. Often based on consumer demand rather than nutritional requirements, many commercial pet foods are formulated to provide nutrients in excess of current minimum recommendations, use ingredients that compete directly with the human food system, or are overconsumed by pets, resulting in food wastage and obesity. Pet food professionals have the opportunity to address these challenges and influence the sustainability of pet ownership through product design, manufacturing processes, public education, and policy change. A coordinated effort across the industry that includes ingredient buyers, formulators, and nutritionists may result in a more sustainable pet food system.

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Attitudes of pet owners toward pet foods and feeding management of cats and dogs

Cited by 64 publications

References 4 publications

Survey of owner motivations and veterinary input of owners feeding diets containing raw animal products

Survey of owner motivations and veterinary input of owners feeding diets containing raw animal products

Preferences of owners of overweight dogs when buying commercial pet food

Nutritional Sustainability of Pet Foods

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