Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, this study addressed limitations in traditional canine food preference testing. While two-pan and one-pan tests are widely used, they often fail to capture the complexity of feeding behavior as experienced in the home. The authors aimed to assess dogs’ preferences for animal-based versus vegetable-based diets and to determine whether dogs exhibit neophobia when introduced to novel foods.
Eight adult Beagles (mean age 24 months; body weight 8–12 kg) participated in a 4 × 4 replicated Latin square design with four 10-day dietary treatment periods. The four novel diets included animal-based and vegetable-based formulations, as well as versions of each diluted with anhydrous α-d-glucose. Dogs were fed twice daily, and feeding sessions were video-recorded.
Behavioral metrics included time to consume feed, hesitation, distraction during feeding, anticipation before consumption, and interest after consumption. These behaviors were analyzed on the first day and the last two days of each treatment period using a mixed model with repeated measures.
The results showed clear evidence of dietary neophobia. On the first day of each new diet, dogs consumed food more slowly, displayed greater distraction, and hesitated longer before eating compared to later days (p < 0.05). These disruptive effects diminished over time, indicating that neophobia was temporary.
Importantly, post-consumption interest was highest when dogs consumed the animal-based ingredient diet (p < 0.05), suggesting a stronger positive feeding response. The authors note, however, that further research is needed to determine whether this increased interest reflects true preference or short-term satiety effects.
Overall, the study provides practical insight into canine food preference assessment methods that more closely mirror owner-observed feeding behavior. The findings highlight the importance of allowing sufficient time for dogs to adjust to new diets and underscore the role of ingredient composition in shaping feeding responses.
Source: Callon, M. C., Cargo-Froom, C., DeVries, T., & Shoveller, A. (2017). Canine Food Preference Assessment of Animal and Vegetable Ingredient-Based Diets Using Single-Pan Tests and Behavioral Observation. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. Published October 3, 2017.
