An investigation of the owner- and pet-related factors that may affect the use of alternative feeding practices in dogs and cats in Hungary.

Background: Alternative feeding practices have become increasingly popular among companion animal owners. We sought to identify possible factors behind the choice of alternative feeding types. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with Hungarian pet owners. Descriptive data analysis and logistic regression models were undertaken to determine factors that may increase the likelihood of adopting alternative feeding practices. Results: In total, 1007 pet owners completed the questionnaire, of which 789 were dog owners and 218 were cat owners. The type of settlement was identified as a possible factor influencing the choice of application of alternative feeding patterns for dogs and cats. In the case of dogs, the owner's diet variable showed significantly increased odds of choosing an alternative feeding pattern where the owner followed an alternative diet. For cats, the owner's diet did not have a significant effect on choosing alternative feeding practices for these pets. Conclusions: Owners who followed an alternative diet were more likely to choose an alternative feeding pattern for their dogs but not for their cats. Further study is required to identify additional factors that may influence the owners' choice of feeding practices and to more widely investigate the feeding habits of cat owners.