BELGIUM – As the push for sustainability intensifies across various sectors, a recent study from Ghent University indicates a growing acceptance of insect-based pet food among cat and dog owners.
The research, published in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, reveals a significant shift in pet parents’ attitudes towards alternative diets driven by sustainability and nutritional benefits.
The study, titled “Assessing Pet Owners’ Willingness to Embrace Insects in Pet Food,” was conducted by researchers Camila Baptista da Silva, DVM, Ph.D., Elias Leocádio dos Santos Neto, Bart J. G. Broeckx, DVM, Ph.D., Norberto Ruiz-Suárez, DVM, Mia Eeckhout, Ph.D., and Myriam Hesta, Ph.D.
It analyzed 435 responses, of which 66% were from dog owners and 58% from cat owners, with 24% owning both dogs and cats. Notably, 52% of dog owners and 62% of cat owners expressed a positive attitude toward insect-based pet food.
One of the study’s key findings is that pet owners’ acceptance of insect-based diets increased significantly after being informed about such foods’ sustainable and nutritional advantages.
This trend aligns with broader consumer preferences for environmentally friendly products, indicating a potential shift in the pet food market.
Interestingly, the study also found a correlation between pet owners’ personal experiences with entomophagy (the consumption of edible insects) and their willingness to feed insect-based diets to their pets.
Among the respondents, 32% of dog owners and 34% of cat owners who had tried eating insects reported positive experiences, which made them more open to the idea of insect-based pet food.
Furthermore, even pet owners who had not yet tried entomophagy but showed interest in it were more likely to accept insect-based diets for their pets.
Cat owners, in particular, exhibited a more positive perception of insect-based pet food than dog owners. However, the responses suggest a broad willingness to incorporate these alternative diets into pet feeding routines.
The researchers suggest that highlighting the environmental and nutritional benefits of insect-based pet food could further enhance acceptance among pet parents.
As pet food processors continue to prioritize sustainability in their operations, from responsible supply chain management to developing sustainable packaging solutions, this study’s findings provide valuable insights into consumer behavior.
The increasing acceptance of insect-based pet food reflects a growing awareness and commitment to sustainability among pet owners, which could drive significant changes in the pet food industry.
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