Wageningen University & Research has developed guidelines for a different approach to testing the quality of pet food: at the pet owner’s home. This ‘in-home’ testing provides additional information about the quality of the food in the eyes of the pet and its owner. Dogs and cats are largely dependent on the food provided by their owners, making quality a critical consideration. Pet food manufacturers regularly conduct quality assurance tests in testing facilities.
Research shows that pet food quality testing only takes a few days. Pets adapt to a new food within one or two days, and then only one (for dogs) or three (for cats) days of fecal sampling by the owner is needed to determine the digestibility of the food. The study also shows that both dogs and cats are able to indicate whether they like the food within a short period of time. The palatability of a food, as measured by the level of consumption, is also an important aspect of quality.
Every pet is unique
There is a great deal of variation within the pet population. For example, there are 400 different breeds of dogs, ranging in body weight from 1 to 100 kilograms. Pets also vary in age and activity level.
This variation is important in selecting test groups and determining their size. The number of animals to be included per test depends on the desired precision of the results, the diet and the variability of the population,’ says Evelien Bos. The greater the variation in, for example, age, the more animals are required to achieve an accurate test result.
The role of the owner
Bos did her PhD on this unique study. No study of this scale has ever been conducted to test pet food in a home environment. A key aspect of in-home testing is the role of the pet owner. The owner can play a positive role by observing how their pet responds to the new food. He can also interpret behavior because he knows the animal best. The owner is the person who will ultimately purchase and distribute the food, so his or her opinion is a relevant element within the test.
On the other hand, the owner may inadvertently influence the animal and vice versa. Such things can happen,” says Bos, “but we should not exaggerate the fear that the owner can influence the test results. Moreover, in most households, more than one person cares for the pet.
Pets and pet food growing in importance
The emotional bond between pet owners and their pets has become stronger. Dogs and cats are considered part of the family, and as a result, owners are becoming more discerning about the food they buy. In fact, one study showed that some dog owners are more concerned about healthy food for their dogs than for themselves.
Pet food production is a huge global market. Last year, 35 billion tons of pet food were produced with a total value of 110 billion euros. This is expected to rise to 150 billion euros within a few years. Manufacturers routinely test their products for taste and digestibility before they go to market.
