Given the increasing interest in alternative protein sources and growing ethical awareness in nutrition, this large-scale survey (n = 8,823) investigated the feeding practices of dog and cat owners in mainly German-speaking countries. The aim was to assess preferences, feeding habits, and the acceptance of novel protein sources such as plant- and insect-based pet foods. The results showed that conventional meat-based diets remained predominant (i.e., 53.05% daily feeding of meat-based dry food in dogs), but there was notable openness toward alternatives, especially among younger female and vegan pet owners. Acceptance of vegan diets was higher for dog owners than for cat owners (53.9% of vegan dog owners also fed their dogs a vegan diet compared to only 10% of vegan cat owners), which may reflect differences in perceived species-specific nutritional requirements. Insect-based diets were used less frequently but were perceived by more respondents as biologically appropriate compared to vegan diets. The main driver for diet selection was pet health, while sustainability played a secondary role. Veterinary advice was cited by only 14.11% of owners, with online sources and peer recommendations being more influential. Overall, the findings highlight how owner demographics, personal dietary identity, and perceived nutritional suitability shape decision-making in pet feeding and influence the acceptance of alternative protein sources.
Keywords: alternative protein sources; dog and cat nutrition; human-animal interaction; owner consuming behavior; pet feeding practices.
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