- Multi million dollar pet food marketing campaigns dazzle, don’t inform – Dog owners missing key nutritional data on dog food labels

For many pet owners, the idea that they may be causing unintentional harm to their much loved pets would come as a sharp shock.

But that’’s exactly what is happening as a new survey carried out by independent dog food reviews website – dogfoodreviews.co.uk – reveals that a staggering 7 out of every 10 dog owners were unable to identify key nutritional information contained on commercial pet food labels.

The study asked dog owners to rank in order the reasons why they chose a particular pet food brand. Overwhelmingly, price and convenience rated higher than nutritional content.

Further, when asked to detail the integral nutritional data on their dog food of choice, 7 in 10 dog owners admitted that they were not consciously aware of the nutritional content of their dog’s food.

With the increasing diversity and range of commercial pet foods available, many dog owners are unwittingly creating problems – health and behavioural – in their pets as a result of feeding incompatible dog food.

Editor of dogfoodreviews.co.uk, Charles Vincent:

“In a strange twist, we find that due to the sheer weight and volume of new and increasingly market driven pet foods, many dog owners now find themselves feeding their dog on a diet or formula that is not suitable for their particular animal’’s life-stage, breed or activity levels.

This can actually be detrimental in much the same way as if we attempted to feed a school child on a diet designed for an Olympic weight lifter. Alternatively, if certain dogs are not getting the specific nutrients their lifestyle requires, they can suffer as a result.”

In those surveyed who did have an accomplished grasp of how to understand pet food labels and canine nutrition, the study found that a high percentage chose dog food brands that were not always expensive or ‘premium’. Brands that scored particularly highly amongst the most nutritionally informed dog owners included Butcher’s Tripe and Chappie dog food – two relatively low cost, meat based dog foods.

DogFoodReviews.co.uk is encouraging dog owners to speak with their vets about understanding the specific nutritional requirements of their particular dog and how to avoid canine dietary mismatches.

Media Liason: Kim Bruce DogFoodReviews.co.uk 08451631238