Sustainable Pet Food: What Dog and Cat Owners Think

LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / November 14, 2025 / Two pioneering studies published in the journal Animals have explored in depth how dog and cat guardians perceive more sustainable pet food options. Led by Jenny L. Mace, Alexander Bauer, Andrew Knight and billy Nicholles, the research sheds new light on the potential for choice proteins and plant-based diets in the companion animal sector.

Study 1 – dogs: ‘Consumer Acceptance of Sustainable Dog Diets: A Survey of 2,639 Dog Guardians’

In the first study,the team surveyed 2,639 dog guardians worldwide. Around 84% of respondents were currently feeding their dogs either conventional or raw meat-based diets. Though, a substantial 43% of this group reported they would still consider at least one type of more sustainable dog food (such as vegan, vegetarian or cultivated-meat formulations).

Among the alternative options, the most acceptable was cultivated meat-based dog food (chosen by 24% of these respondents), compared to vegetarian (17%) and vegan (13%) dog diets. When asked what characteristics would be needed for these alternatives to be chosen, the top choices were nutritional soundness (chosen by 85%) followed by good pet health (83%).

Study 2 – Cats: ‘Consumer Acceptance of Sustainable Cat Diets: A Survey of 1,318 Cat Guardians’

The second study focused on cat guardians, surveying 1,318 individuals. Here,91% of respondents currently fed their cats conventional or raw meat-based diets. Though, 33% indicated they would consider a more sustainable cat food option.

Cultivated meat-based cat food again proved the most appealing (20% of respondents), followed by vegetarian (11%) and vegan (7%) options. Similar to the dog study, nutritional soundness (86%) and good pet health (84%) were the most significant factors influencing acceptance of alternative cat foods.

Key Takeaways

• A significant portion of dog (43%) and cat (33%) guardians are open to considering sustainable pet food options.
• Cultivated meat-based diets are currently the most palatable alternative protein source for both dog and cat owners.
• Nutritional soundness and demonstrable positive effects on pet health are critical for driving acceptance of sustainable pet foods.

FAQ

Q: What is cultivated meat?

A: Cultivated meat is produced by growing animal cells directly, without the need to raise and slaughter animals. It offers a potentially more sustainable way to provide meat protein for pet food.

Q: Are vegan or vegetarian diets safe for dogs and cats?

A: while possible, vegan and vegetarian diets for pets require careful formulation by a veterinary nutritionist to ensure they meet all essential nutrient requirements. They are generally considered more challenging to balance for cats, who are obligate carnivores.

Q: Where can I find more information about these studies?

A: You can access the full studies through the following links: Dog Study and cat Study.

Summary: These studies demonstrate a growing openness among pet owners to explore sustainable alternatives to traditional meat-based pet food.Cultivated meat currently holds the most promise, but ensuring nutritional completeness and demonstrable health benefits will be key to wider adoption.

Looking Ahead: As concerns about the environmental impact of pet food production grow, we can expect to see continued innovation in alternative protein sources and increased consumer demand for sustainable options. Further research focusing on the long-term health effects of these diets will be crucial for building trust and driving market growth.