Current Perspectives and Practices of Pet Owners in Türkiye on Animal Care, Nutrition, and Welfare

Abstract

Simple Summary Pet ownership is rapidly increasing in T & uuml;rkiye. Most existing research on pet care, nutrition, and welfare comes from developed countries, while information from developing regions like Turkey remains quite limited. This study fills this gap by providing up-to-date, nationally representative data on the daily care and feeding practices of pet owners in T & uuml;rkiye, as well as their attitudes toward animal welfare. The findings suggest that recent changes in human nutrition-such as a focus on better ingredient quality and foods with additional health benefits-are also reflected in people's pet food choices. The study also demonstrates the powerful influence veterinarians have on owner decisions and raising awareness of welfare issues. These results are valuable not only for Turkey but also for the global pet food industry, veterinarians, and policymakers working to improve animal welfare through better feeding strategies.Abstract Although pet ownership is rapidly increasing in developing countries like Turkey, information on how animals are cared for and fed and on perceived animal welfare remains limited. To address this gap, a survey was conducted with 410 participants from 65 provinces, representing over 80% of the country. The study collected data on pet owner demographics, care and feeding practices, and awareness of animal welfare. The results show that most participants (80.6%) have at least a bachelor's degree, and most pets (80.9%) were acquired within the last 10 years. Monthly spending on pet care typically ranges from USD 30 to 90. Ingredient quality emerged as the primary factor driving food choices (51%), driven by a growing interest in premium and super-premium products aimed at improving health and well-being. Veterinary clinics play a significant role in shaping feeding decisions. Most pet owners consider their pets family members and feel quite knowledgeable about their welfare and nutrition. The results suggest that recent trends in human nutrition, such as increasing interest in functional foods and higher ingredient standards, are also shaping pet feeding practices, and that closer collaboration between veterinarians and the pet food industry is needed.