Dog owners have quite a bit of control over their pets’ diets, often holding strong beliefs about which diets are ideal for their four-legged companions.
However, a recent study conducted by the Dog Aging Project (DAP) at Texas A&M University, in collaboration with researchers at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, highlights that the motivations behind these dietary choices are not as simple as they may seem.
The research reveals that the reasons owners choose certain diets for their dogs can vary widely, with owner age making a bigger difference than income or education level. The DAP is an innovative, community-driven research initiative that enrolls companion dogs from diverse backgrounds across the United States to investigate the aging process and enhance understanding of the factors contributing to a long and healthy life for dogs.
Many of the studies conducted within this project have not only advanced knowledge regarding canine health but have also offered insights into human health, with over 50,000 dogs currently participating in the program.
In a recent study, DAP researchers collected information from over 40,000 dog owners regarding their income, education, age, and residential environment—urban, suburban, or rural. This information complemented previously collected data on dog demographics, including breed, size, age, diet, and whether the dogs received annual wellness exams from a veterinarian.
“We found that owner demographics play a much more important role in the selection of dog diets than previously thought,” said Dr. Katie Tolbert, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, internist, and associate professor in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences’ Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences.
“Sometimes we do studies related to dog demographic factors — like breed, size, and age — that we think influence the diets that owners feed their dogs,” Tolbert said. “But if we don’t consider the owner’s demographic factors, we might not be looking at a complete picture.
“For example, we found that older pets are more likely than younger animals to be fed a canned or home-cooked diet,” she said. “Without considering the owner, we might assume that this choice is a result of the dog’s age. But now we have data suggesting that it might be that older dogs are more likely to have older owners, and they are making decisions based on what they believe are healthier choices for their dog that have nothing to do with the dog’s age.”
In another example, the team discovered that certain pet owners might decide on dog diets influenced by their dogs’ lifestyles and geographic areas.
“For example, although the majority of dogs are fed a kibble diet regardless of dog size or geographic location, we found that highly active dogs, working dogs, and those living in rural environments were more likely to be fed home-prepared raw or cooked diets when fed something other than kibble,” Tolbert said. “In contrast, sedentary dogs and dogs living in urban areas were more likely to be fed canned, commercial raw, or home-cooked diets when fed something other than kibble.
“The point of this study was to show that we need to consider information about both the dog and their owner when assessing why a dog is fed a particular diet,” she said. “This will make sure that we continue to support canine health with the most accurate information possible.”
The DAP is presently seeking participation from pet dogs — encompassing both young and old, mixed breeds and purebreds, as well as healthy dogs and those with chronic illnesses — from all 50 states in the U.S.
Journal reference:
- Janice S. O’Brien, M. Katherine Tolbert, Dog Aging Project Consortium, and Audrey Ruple. Dog and owner demographics impact dietary choices in Dog Aging Project cohort. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2024; DOI: 10.2460/javma.24.05.0358
