New Perspective in Consumer Sensory Science: Acceptance and Preference Testing of Dry Dog Food

Abstract

Palatability is a critical attribute of pet food, encompassing multisensory factors such as taste, aroma, texture, appearance, temperature, and kibble characteristics. Palatability tests play a central role in product development, aiming to ensure adequate voluntary consumption to support animal health. These assessments typically include acceptance (single-bowl) and preference (two-bowl) tests. This study evaluated pet food quality from the dogs' perspective, investigating the ability of untrained companion dogs to discriminate between commercially similar diets and examining the contribution of sensory science within this market context. Acceptance and preference tests were conducted using two commercially available dry dog foods, evaluated by 32 adult dogs under home-use conditions. Results indicated minimal evidence of neophobic or neophilic behavior, with no meaningful influence of sex or age. Significant differences were observed in diet acceptance, influenced by composition and ingestion time. Preference testing revealed a clear preference for diet B, which was associated with higher intake and shorter ingestion duration.