A survey of 2,000 UK dog owners by natural dog food brand Harringtons found that quality food is the top priority (49%) for their dogs – far surpassing dog walking routes (17%), their dog bed (7%) and toys (4%).
Despite this, only 7 in 10 (70%) believe they are currently feeding their pup an optimum diet. The economic crisis continues to take a toll, with over half (54%) admitting that cost is the biggest barrier to better nutrition for their pooch. Nearly a quarter (23%), meanwhile, say their dog is too much of a fussy eater.
Pet owners are aware of what makes a good diet, though. Nearly half (47%) agree a high percentage of meat content indicates quality dog food, along with recipes containing freshly prepared meat ingredients (33%) and vegetables (31%).
Peter Wright, vet for Harringtons and star of TV’s The Yorkshire Vet shares his advice for dog owners struggling with the impact of the Cost of Living crisis on dog food costs:
“When it comes to feeding your dogs, owners always want to know their four-legged friend is eating the best diet possible – but with that often come some hefty price tags that, in the current economy, aren’t so friendly to your wallet.
“The good news for pet owners is that high-quality nutrition needn’t break the bank. Owners should look for wholesome, honest food that’s full of goodness while remaining great value for money.
“It’s all about considering the price and value of the food you’re buying and ensuring you’re picking the very best recipe for the amount you can spend. Whether your budget is £5 or £25, checking the list of ingredients in a dog food recipe can help you make the best purchase decision.
“For the budget range you’re willing to spend on pet food, check each brand to see which has the highest percentage of meat content. Meat is the most important ingredient in a dog’s diet, so as high a percentage of meat content as possible suggests the recipe is of the best quality for your dog. You may find that you’re able to save money by having a slightly lower meat content recipe that is still packed with valuable vegetables, vitamins and minerals that maintain a balanced diet.
“Look at the back of the pack for the list of ingredients. Meat should be the first ingredient in the list – this means that there’s more meat content in the recipe than any other ingredient, such as maize or rice.
“Obviously a 100% meat recipe is not a balanced food, so the secondary ingredients are still very important to provide your dog with a nutritious diet. For example, cereals and other carbohydrates provide energy and help with satiety. It’s important that there is a high meat content, supported with a balance of quality ingredients (like cereals), giving you peace of mind that meat – the most important part of a dog’s diet – is the primary ingredient in the recipe and is complemented with energy-boosting ingredients.
“Not all recipes will declare the meat species, so for extra reassurance, opt for a recipe that states exactly what type of meat is included.
“Ideally, you want to see recognisable ingredients – that you would eat yourself – included in the list. This could be peas, tomato, basil, carrots or even the likes of seaweed. All of these ingredients add up to a highly nutritious food and also helps your dog’s meals taste delicious.
“For dogs with sensitive stomachs, it can be a good idea to avoid recipes containing cereals – and dog owners can rest assured that grain-free recipes can be found for reasonable prices, too. Keep an eye out for extra considerations, too; foods that aid digestion usually include probiotics, and recipes that support healthy skin will often contain omega oils. By understanding the ingredients that make up a healthy, tasty dog food, they can reap the rewards of a wholesome, nutritious diet without breaking the bank.”
