Research by Animetrics on Kuwait: Protecting Farm Animals and Changing Consumer Attitudes
In 2026, Animetrics published its Kuwait study as part of a regional project exploring food systems and farmed animal welfare in Muslim‑majority societies. The Kuwait report provides insight into how cultural traditions, religious values, and modern consumer attitudes shape the country’s relationship with animals and food. Meat remains a central feature of Kuwaiti identity, symbolizing generosity, hospitality, and social belonging, especially during religious and family occasions. At the same time, the research shows that many consumers, particularly younger and urban respondents, are increasingly open to plant‑based diets and alternative proteins, viewing them as healthy and aligned with global sustainability efforts.
The study highlights how perceptions of halal extend beyond the act of slaughter to include the treatment of animals throughout their lives. This broader understanding of halal integrity reflects moral and spiritual concerns for dignity and welfare, and it places responsibility on institutions such as government agencies, certification bodies, and religious authorities to uphold standards and ensure transparency. The findings also reveal tensions around practices like pre‑slaughter stunning, with some respondents considering it humane and compatible with halal, while others reject it as inconsistent with tradition.
By situating Kuwait within this wider regional context, Animetrics underscores both the opportunities and challenges of advancing farmed animal protections. The report documents strong public support for legal reforms, widespread recognition of animal sentience among certain groups, and a willingness to engage with advocacy organizations, though often through low‑effort actions such as petitions or social media campaigns. At the same time, barriers such as meat attachment, beliefs that eating meat is an unquestionable right, and speciesist views remain significant. These insights provide a foundation for understanding how cultural values, religious frameworks, and modern consumer attitudes can be mobilized to create meaningful change in Kuwait’s food system.
Consumer Perspectives and Food Systems
Most respondents reported diets centered on animal products, but many described plant‑based eating as healthy and expressed curiosity about alternative proteins. This openness was strongest among younger generations and those exposed to global food trends. At the same time, meat continues to symbolize generosity and tradition, especially in religious and family gatherings. Respondents stressed that halal is not only about the moment of slaughter but also about treating animals with dignity throughout their lives. Responsibility for ensuring welfare standards was placed on government agencies, certification bodies, and religious authorities.
The study revealed mixed views on pre‑slaughter stunning. Some participants saw it as humane and compatible with halal, while others rejected it as contrary to tradition. This divergence underscores the challenge of reconciling welfare improvements with religious expectations. Importantly, there was strong public support for laws protecting farmed animals, including guarantees of food, water, veterinary care, and adequate space. Animal protection organizations enjoy broad backing, though most respondents prefer low‑effort engagement such as petitions or social media campaigns. More intensive involvement, like volunteering or donations, was less common. Barriers remain significant, with strong attachment to meat, beliefs that eating meat is an unquestionable right, and speciesist views. The report also found that respondents who recognize animals as sentient are more open to dietary change and more supportive of reforms.
Recommendations
Animetrics outlined several pathways for reform in Kuwait. Favorable views of plant‑based eating should be leveraged by expanding availability and improving quality through corporations, institutions, and food service providers. Strong public support for legal protections should be emphasized when engaging policymakers, with gaps in current protections highlighted to build awareness and momentum. Outreach strategies need to match supporter preferences, offering multiple levels of engagement that range from petitions and online actions to volunteering and donations. Barriers such as meat attachment and speciesist beliefs must be addressed through evidence‑informed and culturally sensitive strategies. Messaging should center on animal sentience and the systemic harms of industrial agriculture, linking these issues to human health, communities, and the environment. Finally, public expectations should be communicated to institutions and religious actors to encourage discussion of farmed animal protections and to highlight where they are lacking.