Perfil alimentar e indicadores de bem-estar de cães no município de Maceió

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize the consumption and evaluate the feeding profile of dogs living in the municipality of Maceió, AL. A total of 250 survey questionnaires were administered, structured with multiple-choice questions and directed to the owners. The characteristics, profile, frequency of consumption, type of food, and selection criteria were investigated. The data were tabulated and subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. The profile of the dogs in the study showed a predominance of females (52%), aged over six (6) years (36.8%), medium size (43.6%), and with a consumption of twice/day (36.6%). Approximately 41.7% of the owners did not know the amount of food provided per meal. Approximately 80.6% of the dogs are fed dry food, with 41.06% of the owners preferring to purchase in supermarkets based on price, origin, and nutritional value. Regarding supervision by an animal nutrition professional, most owners (39.6%) have no supervision at all, with only 26.8% being monitored by a veterinarian and 9.0% by a zootechnician. 58.9% of owners consider their dog's diet balanced and healthy. Approximately 74.9% of dogs are vaccinated annually, but 83.4% do not receive any supplementation. It can be concluded that owners in Maceió consider their dog's diet balanced and healthy, and most do not receive guidance from a professional in the field.