Globally, pet owners may tend to be vegetarians and vegans at higher rates than average, which has repercussions for their plant-based pet food purchasing preferences.People who avoid eating animal products for ethical reasons face a moral conundrum when feeding their omnivorous dogs and carnivorous cats.

According to a study conducted in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States indicated that five hundred ninety-nine pet owners did not currently feed plant-based diets but expressed interest in doing so. Of these, 45 percent wanted more information about the nutritional sufficiency of plant-based pet foods for their animals.

Likewise among all pet owners, nutrition topped pet owners list of concerns about plant-based pet foods. Farm animal welfare ranked as the top concern related to meat-based pet foods, with 39 percent of all participants reporting this.

“Considering the number of pet owners found to be feeding, or interested in feeding, plant-based diets to pets, and the implications on pet health, nutrition, and the pet food market, more research is warranted regarding plant-based foods for dogs and cats,” wrote the scientists in their conclusions.