Owner personality traits associated with non-conventional feeding practices in domestic cats
- 1UniLaSalle, IDEALISS Research Unit, Rouen, France
Abstract
Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to assess the association between owner personality traits and the owner-reported use of non-conventional diets in domestic cats (starch-free, meat-only, grain-free, raw or vegetarian), and to compare personality traits between owners reporting the incorporation of fresh meat-based foods and those relying exclusively on commercial diets.
Method: An anonymous nationwide online survey of French cat owners was conducted (n = 1566). The owner’s personality was assessed using the French version of the Big Five Inventory. Two outcomes were defined: (1) use of a non-conventional diet (yes: n = 439) and (2) inclusion of fresh meat-based foods in the diet (ie, not exclusively commercial with fresh meat; yes: n = 61). Two multivariable logistic regression models were built, with owner personality traits as explanatory variables. Model 1 evaluated the likelihood of using a non-conventional diet, while model 2 assessed the likelihood of incorporating fresh meat in the diet.
Results: Higher Conscientiousness was associated with lower odds of feeding a non-conventional diet (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.67–0.95), whereas higher Openness was associated with higher odds (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.01–1.41). Daily cooking (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.17–1.91) and access to autonomous enrichment devices (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.11–2.84) were also positively associated with non-conventional feeding. Lower Agreeableness was associated with higher odds of including fresh meat in the diet (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.35–0.87). Training activities with the cat (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.32–4.18) and owning a purebred cat (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.10–3.82) were also positively associated with fresh meat feeding.
Conclusions and relevance: These results suggest that owners who choose non-conventional diets may present different personality traits. Recognising these differences may help veterinarians adapt their communication and facilitate dialogue regarding feeding decisions in the interest of feline health.
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BibTeX
@article{hoummady2026owner,
title = {{Owner personality traits associated with non-conventional feeding practices in domestic cats}},
author = {Sara Hoummady and Nancy Rebout and Guillaume Prorel and Morgane Robles},
journal = {Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1177/1098612x261462429},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612x261462429},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Owner personality traits associated with non-conventional feeding practices in domestic cats
AU - Sara Hoummady
AU - Nancy Rebout
AU - Guillaume Prorel
AU - Morgane Robles
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/12
JO - Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
DO - 10.1177/1098612x261462429
UR - https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612x261462429
AB - Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to assess the association between owner personality traits and the owner-reported use of non-conventional diets in domestic cats (starch-free, meat-only, grain-free, raw or vegetarian), and to compare personality traits between owners reporting the incorporation of fresh meat-based foods and those relying exclusively on commercial diets. Method: An anonymous nationwide online survey of French cat owners was conducted (n = 1566). The owner’s personality was assessed using the French version of the Big Five Inventory. Two outcomes were defined: (1) use of a non-conventional diet (yes: n = 439) and (2) inclusion of fresh meat-based foods in the diet (ie, not exclusively commercial with fresh meat; yes: n = 61). Two multivariable logistic regression models were built, with owner personality traits as explanatory variables. Model 1 evaluated the likelihood of using a non-conventional diet, while model 2 assessed the likelihood of incorporating fresh meat in the diet. Results: Higher Conscientiousness was associated with lower odds of feeding a non-conventional diet (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.67–0.95), whereas higher Openness was associated with higher odds (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.01–1.41). Daily cooking (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.17–1.91) and access to autonomous enrichment devices (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.11–2.84) were also positively associated with non-conventional feeding. Lower Agreeableness was associated with higher odds of including fresh meat in the diet (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.35–0.87). Training activities with the cat (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.32–4.18) and owning a purebred cat (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.10–3.82) were also positively associated with fresh meat feeding. Conclusions and relevance: These results suggest that owners who choose non-conventional diets may present different personality traits. Recognising these differences may help veterinarians adapt their communication and facilitate dialogue regarding feeding decisions in the interest of feline health.
SN - 1098-612X
SN - 1532-2750
ER -