A recent study conducted by the Dog Aging Project (DAP) at Texas A&M University and the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine has highlighted how pet owner demographics significantly influence canine nutrition. The research indicates several factors, such as owner age, play a more influential role in diet choices than income or education levels. In the latest DAP study, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, researchers gathered data from more than 40,000 dog owners, including income, education, age, and geographic settings—urban, suburban, or rural. This data complements previously collected information on the dogs themselves, such as breed, size, age, dietary habits, and whether they receive annual veterinary care. The findings underscore the diverse motivations behind dog owners’ dietary decisions and the importance of understanding these factors to improve pet health outcomes. “We found that owner demographics play a much more important role in the selection of dog diets than previously thought,” says Katie Tolbert, DVM, PhD, associate professor in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & 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 dog 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 found that some owners may make choices about dog diets based on their dogs' lifestyles and geographic locations. “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,” says Dr. Tolbert. “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. Tolbert reiterates the need to consider information about both patients and clients when doing nutritional assessment. “This will make sure that we continue to support canine health with the most accurate information possible,” she says. For more information, visit the Texas A&M University website.
