Profiling Italian cat and dog owners’ perceptions of pet food quality traits

Abstract

Background: Over recent years, pet owners have started to demonstrate increased sensitivity toward their companion animals, which includes an increase in the attention paid towards their nutrition, seen as a way of safeguarding their pets' welfare. The aim of this study was to identify how pet food quality traits are perceived as being the most important by dog and cat owners. To this end, a survey of dog and cat owners was conducted by means of a questionnaire distributed in pet stores and trade fairs throughout Italy. Results: A total of 935 surveys were collected; 61.8% of which were compiled by female pet owners. The respondents were relatively homogeneously distributed between cat (30.8%), dog (39.4%), and cat and dog (29.8%) owners. A quarter of the owners (25.5%) reported to have asked their veterinarian for advice on which pet food to buy, and almost a third (30.4%) trusted the advice posted on the web sites of well-known brands. "Contains natural ingredients" was the characteristic that obtained the highest mean score (4.3 out of 5). Elderly owners (> 65 years) placed most importance on whether a product had a high price, and least on feed appearance, animal satisfaction, and stool quality. Young owners (< 35y) paid most attention to the stool quality, the percentage of protein in the feed, and the presence of recyclable packaging, and least attention to feed appearance, smell, and animal satisfaction. Feed appearance, smell, a higher cost, and certain label indications (protein content, presence of fresh meat, grain free) were mostly important among the buyers of wet pet food. Some specific differences also emerged between dog, cat, and dog and cat owners. Conclusions: In this survey of Italian pet food buyers, the presence of "natural" ingredients was considered to be the most important indicator of pet food quality, whereas characterized by a high price was considered least important. The data obtained from this survey could be used to help pet food companies identify which pet food quality traits are perceived as important by dog and cat owners.

Effect of using insects as feed on animals: pet dogs and cats

“…Furthermore, healthfulness, freshness and ingredients of a pet food are evaluated by owners (Schleicher et al, 2019). Specific ingredients are associated with nutritional quality such as the presence of 'natural' ingredients (Vinassa et al, 2020). Familiar phrases, popular trends and beliefs on packaging and advertisements also help to attract owners to products.…”

It Keeps the Good Boy Healthy from Nose to Tail: Understanding Pet Food Attribute Preferences of US Consumers

“…Different pet owners, however, consider different types of pet food, with varying product attributes to fulfil the nutritional requirements of their pet [ 16 , 17 ]. The most important product attributes appear to be price, perceived ingredient safety, and perceived quality and nutritional value [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Ingredient composition and pet food quality are key for many pet owners when choosing between raw, wet, or dry food [ 22 ], and they perceive certain ingredients as undesirable or unsafe [ 23 ]. Ingredients such as wheat and corn may be perceived as low quality or fillers by some pet owners [ 19 ], although these claims are not scientifically based [ 24 ]. However, they may still appreciate dry pet foods with cereals due to affordability and convenience [ 25 ].…”

“…Specifically, natural, wholesome, organic, or cruelty-free pet food are gaining popularity [ 26 , 27 ]. Vinassa et al (2020) highlighted that social and cultural factors such as the eating habits of pet owners influence the decision-making processes when buying pet food and feeding practices [ 19 ]. Other key factors that determine the pet food preferences of US consumers are widely unexplored.…”

Clinical Findings in Healthy Dogs Fed With Diets Characterized by Different Carbohydrates Sources

“…In Italy, about 39% of the population live with a cat and/or a dog ( 2 ). As a result, pet owners have been giving more attention to animal welfare and have become increasingly interested in the characteristics and production processes of commercial diets ( 3 ). The pet industry has produced several diets with particular ingredients or nutrients, suggested by specific claims, which could indicate beneficial effects, for example, grain-free diets which were formulated using tubers, and legumes as starch sources.…”