Two pioneering studies published in the journal Animals have explored how dog and cat guardians perceive more sustainable pet food options.
Co-led by Griffith University Adjunct Professor Andrew Knight, the research sheds new light on the potential for alternative proteins and plant-based diets in the companion animal sector.
Study One – Dogs: ‘Consumer Acceptance of Sustainable Dog Diets: A Survey of 2,639 Dog Guardians’
In the first study, the team surveyed 2,639 dog guardians worldwide.
About 84 per cent of respondents were currently feeding their dogs either conventional or raw meat-based diets.
However, a substantial 43 per cent of this group reported they would nevertheless consider at least one type of more sustainable dog food (such as vegan, vegetarian or cultivated-meat formulations).
Among the alternative options, the most acceptable was cultivated meat-based dog food which was real animal meat produced by growing animal cells in a controlled environment (chosen by 24 per cent of these respondents), compared with vegetarian (17 per cent) and vegan (13 per cent) dog diets.
When asked what characteristics would be needed for these alternatives to be chosen, the top choices were nutritional soundness (chosen by 85 per cent) followed by good pet health (83 per cent).
Study Two – Cats: ‘Consumer Acceptance of Sustainable Cat Diets: A Survey of 1,380 Cat Guardians’
The companion study gathered responses from 1,380 cat guardians.
In total, 89 per cent of these guardians fed their cats conventional or raw meat-based diets.
However, more than half – 51 per cent – of this group considered at least one of the more sustainable options to be acceptable.
The most popular alternatives were those based on cultivated meat (chosen by 33 per cent of this group) followed by vegan diets (18 per cent).
Similarly to dogs, the most important characteristics alternative diets would need to offer to be chosen were good pet health outcomes (chosen by 83 per cent) and nutritional soundness (80 per cent).
Differences among consumers
Both studies found guardians who themselves reduced or avoided meat were significantly more open to alternative diets for their pets, as were those with higher educational qualifications.
Age and regional differences were also apparent, with older consumers, and those from the UK, often less open to alternatives than those in other European nations, North America or Oceania, although differences were often not significant.
What this means
Professor Knight said the studies came at a time when the environmental and ethical footprint of conventional pet food production was growing in public consciousness.
“Recent studies have demonstrated our dogs and cats collectively consume a substantial proportion of all-farmed animals. Pet diets such as those based on plant-based ingredients or cultivated meat could transform the pet food system, lowering adverse impacts for farmed animals and the environment.”
Professor Andrew Knight
