As Australian consumers become more conscious of the environmental and ethical impact of their food choices, many are extending that care to their pets’ diets.
According to a recent national survey conducted by Food Frontier, nearly half of Australian dog and cat owners are considering changing their pet’s diet to address health, ethical, or environmental concerns.
The survey, which gathered responses from 2,000 Australians, revealed that 47 per cent of pet owners would consider alternatives to traditional pet foods.
One such pet owner is St Kilda mum of two, Joanne Gow, who takes meticulous care in preparing meals for her 14-year-old Miniature Schnauzer, making food from scratch to ensure her pet’s health.
“I don’t buy commercial dog food and make sure everything she eats is as healthy as possible. I make her meals from scratch and supplement them with vitamins and minerals,” said Gow.
The shift in consumer sentiment aligns with broader trends seen in human diets, where concerns over climate change, health, and animal welfare are influencing food choices.
Dr Simon Eassom, CEO of Food Frontier, highlighted the role pets play in contributing to climate change due to their meat-based diets.
“Our pet dogs and cats unwittingly contribute significantly to climate change due to their diets. That pet owners are interested in switching to other foods as long as they are nutritionally sufficient demonstrates a market for sustainable and innovative pet food options.”
An important driver for these changes is the growing awareness of the environmental impact of pet food production. A UCLA study found that pet food production in the US alone releases 64 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent greenhouse gases annually. With Australia’s pet food industry worth $3 billion, there is increasing interest in exploring alternative protein sources for pet food, including cultivated meat and plant-based options.
Survey results also showed that when asked about wet pet food options, 49 per cent of respondents would prefer ethically raised animal meat, while 44 per cent are interested in minimal animal-based ingredients.
Furthermore, 38 per cent would consider animal-free, nutritionally adequate alternatives. This consumer interest in diverse and sustainable pet food options mirrors the growing adoption of alternative proteins in human diets.
Gow’s focus on her dog’s health reflects a wider trend, as more pet owners are seeking healthier, homemade alternatives.
“I try to prepare really healthy meals for our family. We go without meat one day a week for health reasons, and I’ve cut back even more because meat has become so expensive.”
The rising cost of living is another factor influencing these changes. Food Frontier’s survey highlighted that budget concerns are increasingly motivating Australians to reduce their meat consumption, with 54% of respondents citing this as a reason—up from 40 per cent in 2021.
Additional survey findings indicate that 34 per cent of Australians now consume plant-based milks at least once a week, reflecting a broader shift towards plant-based diets in both human and pet nutrition.
As pet owners like Gow lead the way in embracing healthier, more ethical options for their furry companions, the pet food market is expected to evolve to meet this growing demand for sustainable and innovative alternatives.
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