NATURAL FEEDING IN ANIMALS: CONSCIOUS CHOICE OR SOCIAL INFLUENCE?

Resumo

The use of natural feeding in animals has gained prominence in recent years, driven by greater awareness among pet owners and the influence of social media and market trends. Many owners seek to provide diets considered healthier, based on fresh and less processed foods, believing tha t this practice can improve quality of life, prevent diseases, and increase animal longevity. When properly formulated and supervised by veterinary professionals, natural diets can meet the nutritional needs of each species and contribute to animal health and well-being. However, the growing popularity of natural feeding is also associated with the spread of misinformation and dietary trends that are not always supported by scientific evidence. Influenced by online content and personal opinions, some owners adopt homemade diets without professional guidance, which may result in nutritional imbalances harmful to animal health. Inadequate formulations can impair growth, immune response, and metabolic functions, especially in young, elderly, or sick animals. In this context, natural feeding can be understood both as a conscious decision and as a practice influenced by social behavior. The increase in the humanization of companion animals and the expansion of the pet market have contributed to the perception that the term “natural” automatically means something healthier, although this is not always true. Therefore, the present study aims to analyze the content of videos published on the digital platforms TikTok and YouTube about natural feeding in animals. Fifty videos from each platform will be analyzed, totaling 100 videos, selected through searches using the terms “natural pet feeding.” Videos in Portuguese related to natural feeding for dogs and cats, publicly available and containing informative or educationa l content, will be included. Duplicate videos, exclusively advertising content without informative purpose, videos without understandable audio or text, and content unrelated to the proposed topic will be excluded. The videos will be evaluated regarding content authorship, the professional background of the content creator, citations of reference sources, type of nutritional recommendation presented, and the presence of possible incorrect information or information without scientific support. The level of reach of the publications will also be evaluated through metrics such as likes, comments, and shares. It is expected that this study will contribute to understanding the profile of information available to the public, evaluating its quality and reliability, and reinforcing the importance of professional guidance and the use of scientific evidence.