Survey of Pet Owner Attitudes on Diet Choices and Feeding Practices for Their Pets in Portugal

SIMPLE SUMMARY: New challenges for veterinarians and the pet food industry arise from emerging trends in pet foods, motivated by changes in pet owner’s beliefs and choices. Despite external influences, pet owners are the ones who ultimately decide on what and how to feed their pets. Therefore, a better understanding of pet food trends can be achieved by investigating motivations and husbandry practices related to feeding and diet. The objective of this study was to identify trends in pet food in Portugal using a preliminary survey. While most pets are fed commercial diets, there is a trend for an increasing interest in alternative diets, especially for organic and natural pet diets. This preference change is likely motivated by a greater interest in ingredients used in pet food, especially supporting a greater use of meat and lower use of carbohydrate sources. Therefore, alternative diets should be the focus of more recognition in research, pet food industry, and veterinarian practice. ABSTRACT: Feeding practices and perceptions of pet owners determine consumer decisions on pet foods and influence the health of companion animals. The objective of the survey was to study emerging trends on pet food diets in Portugal by conducting a preliminary survey. A survey of 74 pet owners revealed that most fed pets with commercial diets (67.6%) bought in supermarkets (40.3%), spending a monthly average of EUR 30, following healthy practices (e.g., ≥30 min of exercise), which translated to an average self-reported pet body condition score of 3. Information about pet foods mainly originates from the animal’s veterinarian (64.9%), followed by the internet (16.2%). A trend for a growing interest in alternative diets (e.g., natural and organic) was identified, being already the second most consumed diet type (19.0%), perceived as being of a higher quality, and as a topic of interest (38.6%). This interest likely originates from a higher weighting of the ingredient list (31.5%) in consumer choices and beliefs that commercial diets should consist of a higher proportion of meat (29.3%) and less carbohydrates (38.7%). Therefore, more research is needed on the nutritional adequacy of alternative diets and uncommon ingredients, the pet food industry will have to adapt to changing consumer behaviors, and veterinarians should be available to discuss and oversee novel dietary practices in companion animals.