Formulation of Concentrated Food to Get Dogs (Canis Lupus Familiaris)

Formulación de Alimento Concentrado para Perros (Canis Lupus Familiaris): Análisis Conjunto de Elección

Abstract

This project describes the selection and development of the formula for a concentrated dog food (Canis lupus familiaris) with special nutritional characteristics beneficial to their health by applying the Choice Based Conjoint Analysis (CBC) methodology, with the aim of finding out the preferences of the Venezuelan population among the different formulations proposed according to the main attributes that should characterise the formulation of the food.  The ingredients that could enrich the product were selected in order to define the attributes of the product and their levels for applying the CBC. Thirty-four mini-concepts were proposed to which the CBC was applied to select the most acceptable according to the attributes: protein (beef, chicken and fish), vegetables (beetroot, carrot and broccoli), cereals (brown rice, maize and grain-free) and cost per kg ($2, (2-4) $ and (4-6) $). The web-based survey was administered in Caracas to 250 people of different age and sex ranges. The selected formula is composed of beef, carrot, brown rice and priced at $2, and a sensory evaluation and physicochemical analysis was carried out. In addition, an economic evaluation was carried out. It was concluded that the Joint Choice Analysis is a useful and novel tool in the selection of food formulas for animals, specifically in the canine area.