Pet humanisation and pet food purchasing behaviour

Sharon L. Forbes, Suzanne Trafford, Maddy Surie

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

This exploratory study examines whether New Zealand cat and dog owners humanise their pets and whether this has an effect on pet food purchasing behaviour. Pet humanisation has been identified as a growing trend in many nations, but no previous research has considered whether this has any influence on owners’ pet food purchasing behaviour. Quantitative data were collected from pet-owning respondents using a structured questionnaire and an intercept technique inside stores. This study developed a 10-item scale to measure pet humanisation and found evidence that about two-thirds of owners do humanise their pet. However, pet humanisation was found to have no significant effect on pet food purchasing behaviour. This is an important finding given the increasing attention that pet humanisation has attracted in academic literature and mainstream media; it suggests that whilst the phenomenon exists, it has little value to pet food marketers as a characteristic to segment pet owners.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationANZMAC 2017
Subtitle of host publicationMarketing for Impact
EditorsLinda Robinson, Linda Brennan, Mike Reid
Place of PublicationMelbourne
PublisherRMIT University
Pages45-45
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes
EventANZMAC 2017 Conference: Marketing for Impact - RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
Duration: 4 Dec 20176 Dec 2017

Publication series

NameANZMAC conference proceedings
PublisherRMIT University
ISSN (Electronic)1447-3275

Conference

ConferenceANZMAC 2017 Conference
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityMelbourne
Period4/12/176/12/17

Keywords

  • Pet humanisation
  • Pet food
  • Purchasing

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