Feeding Practices Of Dog And Cat Owners Reflect Attitudes Toward Companion Animal Foods
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Nearly all companion animals eat commercial companion animal food but there remains a small minority of owners who feed their animals home-prepared foods.
This 2004 study was conducted to understand why companion animal owners make certain nutritional decisions for their companion animals (dogs and cats), and how feeding decisions differ for cats and dogs. Generally, more cat owners feed their companion animals commercial food than dog owners.
Survey findings:
- More cats (96%) than dogs (87%) ate commercial companion animal food, although slightly more dogs (6%) than cats (3%) ate home-prepared foods.
- Cat owners were found to have more positive attitudes regarding commercial foods and less positive attitudes regarding home-prepared foods.
Citations:
Willoughby, K. N., Michel, K. E., Abood, S. K., Bauer, C., Crabb, S. E., Fascetti, A. J., . . . Laflamme, D. P. (2005). Feeding Practices of Dog and Cat Owners Reflect Attitudes Toward Pet Foods. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 89(11-12), 428-428. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0396.2005.00611_3.x
