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NEW YORK — Is there anything dogs shouldn’t eat when we’re not looking? From winning lottery tickets to their owners’ social security cards to sticks of butter, a new poll finds that our beloved companions Some of the weirdest things we’ve unfortunately gotten our hands on have been revealed.
The survey of 2,000 American dog owners asked respondents about the good, the bad, and the weird about their dog’s diet.
A box of tampons, a speck on the wall, and four TV remote controls were some of the craziest things dogs tried to eat. Some dogs were getting into the Christmas spirit, with one puppy eating a dove-shaped Christmas tree ornament.
“Everything he sees outside he puts in his mouth,” confesses another dog owner.
The study, commissioned by Darwin’s Natural Pet Products and conducted by Talker Research, found that U.S. pet owners should prevent their dogs from eating something they shouldn’t eat every three days. It turned out. This is especially common in puppies. The average dog owner says that when their puppy was 20 months old, they had to pay special attention to what non-food items they could eat.
Even though dogs get into all sorts of things they shouldn’t, pet parents are aware of the dangers. One person said their dog was “so scared” when it ate chocolate, while another said she had to take her dog to the vet after it bit off its toy fabric squirrel’s tail and swallowed it. .
A whopping 77% are worried about their dog’s health if they eat something they shouldn’t, and 59% are also worried that they might not notice when their dog eats something. Masu.
The study found that pet owners in the United States should prevent their dogs from eating something they shouldn’t eat every three days. (Image by Sven Lachmann from Pixabay)
With all these weird things dogs eat, it’s perhaps surprising that respondents don’t know what their dogs are actually eating, even if it’s food in a bowl. That’s not the point. A fifth (21%) admitted they never read the nutrition label on the back of dog food. Even among those who had read labels, only half (56%) knew about the listed ingredients.
“Pet food ingredient lists should read like a home-cooked recipe, not a chemical equation,” Gary Tashjian, founder and CEO of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, said in a statement. “Pet parents want their pups to be happy and healthy, and that starts with being confident (and able to pronounce) everything that goes into their dog’s food bowl.”
When choosing food for their dog, the most important thing for dog owners is whether their dog likes it (44%). This was followed by nutritional value (36%), familiarity of the brand (36%), and price (27%). As a result, 45% would feed their dog a different food if price were not a factor.
According to the survey, 78% are confident that they know what a healthy diet looks like for their dog, but only 78% of respondents said the food they are feeding their dog is “very” healthy. (Another 52% said they were “somewhat” healthy).
More than half (56%) would like to feed their dog a healthier diet. Perhaps it’s because the majority understand that food impacts a dog’s overall health (74%) and longevity (75%). Still, there are barriers for many respondents when trying to transition their dogs to a healthier diet.
Price is also a factor, with 46% believing healthier options are too expensive. Respondents also said their dog is a picky eater and didn’t like other healthy options they’ve tried (32%), and they thought their local store had a limited selection of options. (20%)
“If you’re on a journey to improve your pet’s nutritional status, that’s great,” says Tashjian. “It may not happen overnight, but by following a consistent feeding schedule and limiting snacks between meals, you can benefit from healthier options. Real meat ( Choose the highest quality ingredients you can afford, including non-meat by-products) and a variety of vegetables.
Research method
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 American dog owners. The survey was commissioned by Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, and was managed and conducted online by Talker Research from September 20 to 25, 2024.
