【Announcement!】Cat Food Awareness Survey Report! What do pet owners prioritize when choosing cat food?

When we talk about cat food, there are dry kibble and wet food, as well as functional cat foods for weight management, hairball control, and picky eaters.

Everyone is curious about what kind of food other cats eat, right? So, we conducted a survey of 450 cat owners about their cats' eating habits!

We thoroughly investigated common questions about cat food, such as "There are so many types, I don't know which cat food to give" and "I want to know what factors people prioritize when choosing cat food." So, what cat food brands are chosen by many owners?

"Dry food + wet food" is the most common main diet

Most cat owners reported feeding their cats "dry food," which is either a complete and balanced meal or a prescription diet. Dry food provides cats with a balanced intake of necessary nutrients and has a long shelf life, making it ideal as a staple food for cats.

However, some cats may become less interested in their food if only given dry food. Many cats also don't drink enough water. This is where "wet food" comes in handy. By mixing wet food with dry food, cats' appetites can improve, and they can also get hydration at the same time.

In this survey, 191 owners answered "dry food only," while 253 owners answered "dry food + wet food." It seems many owners practice "mixed feeding," combining both dry and wet food.

"Royal Canin" is the most popular cat food brand

The most popular cat food is "Royal Canin." It is often recommended by veterinarians and seems to be chosen by health-conscious owners.

Cat foods from well-known manufacturers such as Nestlé (Purina ONE, Fancy Feast), Inaba (CIAO), Mars (Kalkan, Sheba, Nutro), Unicharm (Ginspoon), and Hill's (Science Diet, Prescription Diet) are also popular.

In the "Other" responses, many premium cat food brands that emphasize ingredients such as meat and fish were seen, including Mog Nyan, Canagan, Acana, and Artemis.

Cat food is purchased with an emphasis on "safety" and "reliability"

When purchasing cat food, the most important factor was found to be "high safety, or perceived high safety."

Following this were "clear ingredients," "reliable brand," and "suitable for the cat's age," indicating that many owners prioritize their cats' well-being.

It's clear that owners' love for their cats, who are cherished family members, drives them to want to feed them safe and healthy food.

A cat's monthly food cost is around 2,000-4,000 yen

For a single cat, the monthly food cost was reported to be 2,000-3,000 yen by about 30% of respondents, and 3,000-4,000 yen by about 22%. Approximately half of cat owners spend between 2,000 and 4,000 yen on food per month.

Over half purchase from "online shops"

Approximately 57% of owners purchase cat food from "online shops." Since cat food can be heavy, it's more convenient to have it delivered to your home. Some shops offer a "subscription service," making it attractive to purchase at a discounted price.

As some cat foods are only available online, if you're concerned about your cat's appetite or health, it's a good idea to search online shops and refer to reviews from other owners.

Where you buy cat food can also depend on the brand. Well-known brands can be easily purchased at "home centers, supermarkets, drugstores, and other mass retailers," while prescription diets or functional cat foods for hairball care, for example, may only be available at "pet shops" or "veterinary clinics."

Common complaints about cat food are "cat quirks"

Regarding difficulties in choosing cat food, 35.2% of owners cited "high price."

Of note are the next points: "I have multiple cats, but their food preferences differ (24.1%)" and "They don't eat it, or they quickly stop eating it (23.9%)."

These are truly common cat quirks. Cats are said to have strong likes and dislikes when it comes to taste, and they might not eat food they don't like, or their taste preferences might suddenly change. This can be problematic for owners.

Appetite is a clue to a cat's health status. It's important to carefully observe your cat to determine if they are just being picky or if their lack of appetite is due to an illness.

Additionally, owners raised other complaints about cat food. A selection of these is provided below.

• Prescription diets are too expensive.
• Small packs are bought to maintain freshness, but they are more expensive than large-capacity ones.
• Online shops don't sell in small quantities, so it's a gamble whether the cat will like it.
• I want an assorted type of food with various flavors.
• Cats eat some brands depending on their mood, but not others.
• There are few allergy-friendly options.
• There are more options for dog food.
• I wish they wouldn't use artificial colors or additives.
• There are few human-grade products, and the lack of choice is frustrating.

Many responses were received that made us think, "Yes, exactly!" These are understandable complaints, coming from a place of care for their cats.

70% have fixed meal times and amounts

Regarding how cat food is given, 67.6% of owners reported "giving a fixed amount at a fixed time," and 7% reported "using an automatic feeder," meaning that approximately 70% of owners have fixed meal times and amounts.

Although it depends on the owner's lifestyle, it's generally better to have fixed meal times and amounts for your cat's health management.

However, some cats prefer to eat in small portions throughout the day. This eating style is sometimes referred to as "cat leaving food," and for cats with small appetites, "free feeding" (leaving food out) may be more suitable.

Summary

In this survey, Royal Canin and other cat foods known for their safety and reliability were popular. Many owners prioritize ingredients over price when choosing cat food, and the absence of artificial colors and additives is also an important factor.

While the survey revealed a clear emphasis on "cat-first" thinking among owners, many concerns unique to picky cats were also raised, such as cats refusing to eat or their food preferences differing among cats.

While it can be challenging to find your beloved cat's preferred taste, seeing them eat deliciously is incredibly heartwarming. Within reasonable limits, please try to find a cat food that your beloved cat will happily eat.

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