Prevalence, patterns and factors of dietary supplement use for pet cats: Insights from an online cross-sectional...

Dietary supplements (DS) are increasingly used in pet care, yet their use in cats remains underexplored, particularly in Southeast Asia. Understanding owner motivations, usage patterns and perceptions is essential for informing veterinary guidance and regulatory policies. This study aims to investigate the prevalence, usage patterns and associated factors of DS use for pet cats among Malaysian cat owners, while comparing perceptions between users and nonusers.

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from March to April 2024 among Malaysian cat owners aged ≥18 years. A structured, content-validated questionnaire assessed sociodemographics, DS usage, perceptions and decision-making. Descriptive statistics, Chi-squared tests and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with DS use.

Among 352 respondents, 58.0% reported administering DS to their cats, with multivitamins (73.0%), omega-3 fatty acids (37.3%), probiotics (26.5%) and fibre supplements (22.1%) being the most common. Key motivations included health maintenance (81.9%) and disease prevention (62.3%). In multivariate logistic regression, DS use was more likely among female owners, those aged 30-39 years, suburban and urban residents, owners of four or more cats and those who had owned cats for more than 5 years. Veterinarians (68.6%) and social media (64.7%) were major information sources. While most users perceived DS as beneficial and accessible, nonusers cited product quality, safety concerns and cost as major barriers.

DS use for cats is widespread among Malaysian owners, and selected sociodemographic and ownership characteristics are independently associated with use. Nevertheless, concerns about quality, safety and professional oversight persist. Greater regulatory scrutiny, public education and veterinary-pharmacist collaboration are needed to ensure responsible supplement practices and protect feline health.