A Study of Emotional Bonding Factors Between Pet Owners and Their Pets, Media Perception Factors from Social Media Communities, and Opinion Influencers Affecting Purchase Intention of BARF Food for Pets
Main Article Content
Abstract
The objectives of this research were to analyze key variables influencing BARF purchase intention, namely emotional attachment, perception of information from online communities, and the role of influencers. This research used a quantitative approach, collecting primary data from a sample of 385 pet owners through an online questionnaire designed to measure these variables in detail. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, including hypothesis testing with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to assess the relationships between variables. Secondary data from marketing reports and related research were also used to support the analysis. The study found that online community awareness, which plays a key role in building trust and motivating pet owners to purchase, was the most influential factor in BARF food purchase intention. This was followed by emotional bonding between owners and their pets, with those who exhibited high levels of bonding tending to choose products that promote long-term pet health. Influencers also influenced product recommendations, but did not influence purchase intention. Further data indicated that middle- to high-income pet owners were more likely to purchase BARF food due to its perceived health benefits and their willingness to pay higher prices compared to conventional food. The study reinforces the importance of effectively leveraging marketing strategies that connect consumers' emotions and relationships with brands to cater to Thailand's growing premium market.
Keywords: Emotional Bonds, Pets, Social Media, Influencers, BARF Diet
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
ตรัยรัตน์ ปลื้มปิติชัยกุล. (2566). การรับรู้สื่อในยุคดิจิทัล: ความเชื่อและการเลือกเปิดรับข้อมูล. วารสารการสื่อสารสังคม, 22(2), 45-67.
ญาณิกา ตันอุดม และนพรัตน์ บุญเพียรผล. (2024). การเปลี่ยนแปลงพฤติกรรมผู้บริโภคในยุคดิจิทัล: บทบาทของสื่อสังคมออนไลน์. วารสารการตลาดดิจิทัล, 15(2), 78-94.
ปภัสราภา ศิริสุนทร. (2565). ความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างพฤติกรรมการเลี้ยงสัตว์เลี้ยงและคุณภาพชีวิตของเจ้าของ. วารสารจิตวิทยาและพฤติกรรม, 28(1), 12-34.
วศิกา กระเทศ. (2563). พฤติกรรมการใช้บริการร้านสัตว์เลี้ยงของกลุ่มคนโสดที่นิยมเลี้ยงสัตว์ [วิทยานิพนธ์ปริญญามหาบัณฑิต]. มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล.
ศิวกร อินภูษา และ ปัทมา สุวรรณภักดี. (2564). ปัจจัยที่ส่งผลต่อการรับรู้และการตอบสนองต่อสื่อในยุคดิจิทัล. วารสารนิเทศศาสตร์, 12(3), 123-140.
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
Archer, J. (1997). Why do people love their pets? Evolution and Human Behavior, 18(4), 237–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1090-5138(99)00032-6
Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. New York, NY: Basic Books.
Brown, W., & Bevill, S. (2018). Effects of raw food diets on oral health in domestic dogs and cats. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, 35(3), 167–173. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898756418789872
Chae, J. (2021). How social media influencers drive consumer decisions: The role of emotional attachment in pet humanization. Journal of Business Research, 134, 204–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.056
Chen, H., & Volsche, S. L. (2012). Emotional bonds in pet ownership: A psychological perspective. Journal of Human-Animal Interaction Studies, 9(4), 56-67.
Freberg, K., Graham, K., McGaughey, K., & Freberg, L. A. (2011). Who are the social media influencers? A study of public perceptions of personality. Public Relations Review, 37(1), 90–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2010.11.001
Freeman, L. M., Chandler, M. L., Hamper, B. A., & Weeth, L. P. (2013). Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat–based diets for dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 243(11), 1549–1558. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.243.11.1549
Grand View Research. (2023). Pet food market size, share & trends analysis report by animal type, by food type, by sales channel, by region, and segment forecasts, 2023–2030. Retrieved from https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/pet-food-market
Herzog, H. (2011). The impact of pets on human life: Emotional, physical, and psychological perspectives. Human-Animal Interaction Journal, 10(2), 15-26.
Hoyer, W. D., & MacInnis, D. J. (1997). Consumer behavior. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
McLuhan, M. (1964). Understanding media: The extensions of man. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Phuong, N. T., & Dat, N. T. (2017). Factors influencing customer purchase intention: The case of pet food products in emerging markets. International Journal of Business and Economics Research, 6(5), 100–108. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijber.20170605.12
Schlesinger, D. P., & Joffe, D. J. (2011). Raw food diets in companion animals: A critical review. Canadian Veterinary Journal, 52(1), 50–54. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3003575/
Serpell, J. A. (1996). In the company of animals: A study of human-animal relationships. Cambridge University Press.
Taylor, M. B., Wood, B., & Johnston, S. (2020). Behavioral and physiological outcomes of biologically appropriate raw food (BARF) diets in domestic dogs and cats: A comparative study. Veterinary Sciences, 7(3), 105. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci7030105
Tuncer, G. (2021). Social media marketing and consumer purchase intentions: The mediating role of trust in the pet food industry. Journal of Marketing Communications, 27(7), 706–723. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527266.2021.1872437
Venkatesh, V. (2020). Technology adoption and diffusion: The role of user experience. Journal of Information Systems Research, 31(2), 233-250.
Volsche, S. L. (2021). The humanization of pets: Emotional and social implications in contemporary society. Journal of Human-Animal Studies, 12(3), 56-78.