Research into the Food Preferences and Animal Feeding Practices of Cat Owners in Kesan District of Edirne Province

Öz

Adequate and appropriate nutrition is essential for maintaining the health and welfare of companion animals. Feeding practices and food choices for cats vary among pet owners, and these differences may have an impact on animal health. The aim of this study is to investigate the animal feeding practices, food preferences, and the criteria considered in food selection among cat owners in Edirne province, Kesan district. To this end, a survey was conducted with 99 cat owners. The majority of cat owners were female, had a bachelor's degree, and were between 18 and 30 years old. The majority of cat owners (45.5%) fed their cats only dry food and they got information about their cats' nutrition (60.6%) and food preferences (57.6%) from veterinarians. More than half of the cat owners who participated in the research (60.6%) constantly left food in the bowl. While 36.4% of cat owners gave additional food once a week, more than half (58.6%) gave treats occasionally in addition to regular food. The majority of cat owners (44.8%) paid attention to the animal meat content indicated on the food package when choosing food, while 25% considered the high protein content of the food. In conclusion, the data obtained from this research are expected to provide a contribution to the existing literature on cat owners food selection and animal feeding practices. Further studies are needed to more comprehensively investigate the food choices and feeding practices of cat owners.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Cat
• feline nutrition
• cat feeding practices
• cat owner survey

Edirne İli Keşan İlçesi Kedi Sahiplerinin Mama Tercihi ve Hayvan Besleme Uygulamalarının Araştırılması

Öz

Doğru ve yeterli beslenme, evcil hayvanların sağlığının ve refahının korunması için önemlidir. Kediler için beslenme uygulamaları ve mama seçimi, hayvan sahipleri arasında farklılık gösterir ve bu durum hayvan sağlığını etkileyebilir. Bu çalışmanın amacı Edirne ili Keşan ilçesinde kedi besleyen evcil hayvan sahiplerinin mama tercihleri, mama tercihlerinde dikkat ettikleri kriterler ve hayvan besleme uygulamalarını araştırmaktır. Bu amaçla 99 kedi sahibi ile anket çalışması yapılmıştır. Kedi sahiplerinin çoğunluğu kadın, lisans mezunu ve yaş aralığı 18 ile 30 aralığındadır. Kedi sahiplerinin çoğunluğunun (%45,5) kedilerini yalnızca kuru mama ile beslediği, kedilerinin beslenmesi (%60,6) ve mama tercihi (%57,6) ile ilgili en çok veteriner hekimlerden bilgi aldıkları belirlenmiştir. Araştırmaya katılan kedi sahiplerinin yarıdan fazlası (%60,6) mama kabında devamlı mama bırakmaktadır. Kedi sahiplerinin %36,4’ü haftada 1 defa ilave yiyecek verirken, yarıdan fazlası (%58,6) mamaya ilave olarak ara sıra ödül maması vermektedir. Kedi sahiplerinin çoğunluğu (%44,8) mama seçerken mama ambalajında belirtilen hayvansal et içeriğine dikkat ederken, %25'i mamanın yüksek protein içeriğine dikkat etmektedir. Sonuç olarak, bu araştırmadan elde edilen verilerin kedi sahiplerinin mama seçimi ve hayvan besleme uygulamaları konusunda mevcut literatüre katkı sağlaması beklenmektedir. Kedi sahiplerinin mama seçimi ve hayvan besleme uygulamalarını daha geniş çapta incelemek için daha fazla çalışmaya ihtiyaç vardır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Kedi
• kedi beslenmesi
• kedi besleme uygulamaları
• kedi sahibi anketi

Kaynakça

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