Companion Animal Nutrition: A Survey of Veterinarians
Submitted on Jan 24, 2010 (Original item from 1998)
Companion Animals | Pet Ownership
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Short Description:
This study surveyed veterinarians and veterinary students regarding their attitudes toward companion animal nutrition and commercial pet foods, finding that the health problems most frequently influenced by nutrition include obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, developmental bone disease (dogs), and lower urinary tract disease (cats).
Abstract:
About three-quarters of respondents had advised their clients about feeding their companion animals healthy food; a similar percent of respondents said that they sell dog food through their veterinary practice.
According to veterinarians, recommendations of certain brands of commercial dog food are made based on the quality of ingredients, experience, availability, palatability, cost, company support, and feeding trials. Nearly two-thirds (65%) say they definitely believe that there is a qualitative difference among pet food brands, while 68% felt that pet food companies did not provide enough information about their products.
Survey respondents would like standardized labeling, more information about meat and grain quality and source, digestibility, nutritional profile, byproduct source, feeding recommendations, and preservatives. More than 90% of respondents say they have concerns about commercial pet foods.
About one-third of respondents say they would recommend home-cooked foods in the treatment of health problems, while about one-fifth frequently recommend home cooking for healthy dogs and cats.
Spot Check Number:
1275
Sponsor:
Animal Protection Institute
Animal Type:
Dogs, Cats, Companion Animals
Record Type:
Research Study
Research Method:
Print Survey
Geographic Region:
United States National
Number of Participants:
150
Population Descriptors:
Veterinarians and veterinary students
Year Conducted:
1998
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