Pet food palantant market researchers discovered that, if given the opportunity, millennial pet owners in Mexico may choose to create dog or cat foods with flavors other than those commonly found in the pet food market. Instead, pet owners may prefer dog and cat kibble flavors that adheres to regional tastes.
In a 2017 survey by pet food flavor and fragrance maker Mane, Mexican pet owners responded that they buy meat and chicken flavors of dog and cat kibble more than other varieties. However, when asked what flavor of kibble they would choose to make for their pets, the majority chose “other” as opposed to bacon, fish, turkey or other standard ingredients.
Luisa Ortiz-Buitrago, flavoring marketing leader for Mane Colombia, presented the results of the survey at Foro Andino 2018 in Bogota, Colombia.
Results of pet food palantant market research
Mane conducted a survey of 150 pet-owning men and women between the ages of 25 and 35 years old in Mexico.
Forty-eight percent of survey respondents reported buying meat (carne) flavored pet food, making it the most popular variety. In second place, chicken was the most popular purchase with 26 percent of respondents.
However, when asked to imagine what flavor they would choose for a new kibble for their pets, 60 and 61 percent of dog and cat owners respectively selected the “other” category, as opposed to a list of ingredients like tuna and bacon.
Of the established flavor choices presented to dog owners, bacon topped the list at 12 percent, followed by fish or sausage, both with five percent. Some of the top flavors dog owners wrote in were chicken wings, almonds, burrito and jerky.
For cat owners, some of the most popular flavors among those presented were salmon at eight percent and turkey with five percent. Cat owners wrote in chicken with mole, chorizo and chicharrones.
The results of this survey suggest that national dishes and regional preferences may influence what pet owners want their dogs and cats to dine on, said Ortiz. Ultimately, a flavor that may be wildly popular in one area may seem unappetizing in another, while on the other hand, catering to local tastes may allow pet food companies to stand out.
