Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Nearly 40 percent of dog owners would be willing to sample their pet's food, according to a recent survey of 2,000 dog owners.
The study revealed that 23 percent of respondents would try their dog's food without hesitation, while 16 percent would taste it once out of curiosity. Only a quarter of those surveyed stated they would "never try it in a million years."
The survey, commissioned by pet food company The Pets Table and conducted by Talker Research, highlights an increasing overlap between human and pet diets. More than half of dog owners—56 percent—feed their dogs directly off their own plates at least a few times a week, with 28 percent doing so daily. Additionally, 52 percent of respondents reported making a home-cooked meal specifically for their dog within the past month.
Many owners consider their pets' diets superior to their own. Forty-five percent of respondents rated their dog's food as higher quality than their own meals, and 49 percent reported paying more attention to their dog's diet and health than their own.
Despite this focus on quality, a gap in ingredient knowledge remains. Sixty percent of respondents admitted they could name no more than two ingredients in their dog's current food.
The concept of a shared household pantry is also gaining traction. Fifty-one percent of owners keep specific human foods in their kitchen solely because they are safe for their dogs, and 55 percent stock ingredients intended for both human and canine consumption.
"We're seeing a real shift in how people think about feeding their dogs. It's less 'pet food' and more 'what's good enough for my family,'" said Dovas Zakas, co-founder of The Pets Table. "Owners want the same quality on their dog's plate as their own."
While 70 percent of respondents expressed strong confidence in knowing which human foods are safe for dogs, results suggest experience plays a significant role in safe feeding practices.
Nearly 40 percent of dog owners would be willing to sample their pet's food, according to a recent survey of 2,000 dog owners.
The study revealed that 23 percent of respondents would try their dog's food without hesitation, while 16 percent would taste it once out of curiosity. Only a quarter of those surveyed stated they would "never try it in a million years."
The survey, commissioned by pet food company The Pets Table and conducted by Talker Research, highlights an increasing overlap between human and pet diets. More than half of dog owners—56 percent—feed their dogs directly off their own plates at least a few times a week, with 28 percent doing so daily. Additionally, 52 percent of respondents reported making a home-cooked meal specifically for their dog within the past month.
Many owners consider their pets' diets superior to their own. Forty-five percent of respondents rated their dog's food as higher quality than their own meals, and 49 percent reported paying more attention to their dog's diet and health than their own.
Despite this focus on quality, a gap in ingredient knowledge remains. Sixty percent of respondents admitted they could name no more than two ingredients in their dog's current food.
The concept of a shared household pantry is also gaining traction. Fifty-one percent of owners keep specific human foods in their kitchen solely because they are safe for their dogs, and 55 percent stock ingredients intended for both human and canine consumption.
"We're seeing a real shift in how people think about feeding their dogs. It's less 'pet food' and more 'what's good enough for my family,'" said Dovas Zakas, co-founder of The Pets Table. "Owners want the same quality on their dog's plate as their own."
While 70 percent of respondents expressed strong confidence in knowing which human foods are safe for dogs, results suggest experience plays a significant role in safe feeding practices.
