How well do you know what you are feeding your pet?
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- January 8, 2019
Dry January…New Year’s Resolutions for our four-legged friends
As thoughts turn to getting healthy this January, research from True Instinct, the raw and natural pet food expert, shows that it isn’t just us humans that require a health-kick in 2019. From a poll of UK dog and cat owners, 10 million people admit to not knowing what they’re really feeding their pet.
A quarter of pet owners are putting their pets first this year and have pledged that they’ll make a New Year’s resolution for their four-legged friends. With a twist on the Dry January concept, this month is the perfect time to get your pet on a natural, healthy and unprocessed diet.
True Instinct which only includes premium natural, unprocessed ingredients is urging owners to be aware of what they are feeding their pet. The research reveals that more than half of those polled aren’t aware that some mainstream pet foods contain sugar, meat derivatives, processed ingredients and artificial additives. Less than 15% of those surveyed admitted to not being aware that more shocking ingredients such as bone ash, feathers and synthetics can be found in some of these mainstream foods.
Common household ingredients, such as chocolate and onions, are also often confused when it comes to our pet’s dietary requirements, as contrary to us, they’re actually both toxic for dogs and cats.
Conversely, owners aren’t aware of the many ingredients that can improve pet health either; 14% say dogs can’t eat butternut squash, which is a nutritious vegetable, and 20% say blueberries are a no-go but are actually full of healthy antioxidants. Both are found in natural and raw pet foods such as True Instinct, due to the countless health benefits they provide.
Over a third say their dog or cat suffers from a health issue such as bad breath, diabetes or a skin condition, and 10% are overweight. Such conditions can potentially be alleviated simply by switching to a more natural, healthy diet.
Top 10 list of New Year’s resolutions for our pets this January:
- Go for more walks (45%)
- Cut down on unhealthy treats (40%)
- Give them a better, more natural diet (31%)
- Spend more time with them (30%)
- Brush their teeth more often (29%)
- Pay more attention to their training/behaviour (25%)
- Take them for regular health checks (21%)
- Stop bad habits e.g. sleeping on the bed, eating from the table (19%)
- Give them more regular baths (18%)
- Ensure they socialise with other dogs/cats (16%)
Melanie Sainsbury, Veterinary Education Manager for True Instinct comments: “January is often a time where our thoughts turn to getting healthier, be it taking part in ‘Dry January’ or just generally being more conscious about what we eat – and this shouldn’t be any different for our pets. Whilst there is clearly a gap in knowledge of what’s really in certain pet foods, we understand that pet owners are often time-poor and often prioritise convenience.
“However, it’s promising to see from the research that pet parents want to make a positive change – and it doesn’t have to be difficult either.
“Pets could take part in their very own ‘Dry January’ – but one where they enjoy a balanced nutritious diet in the form of a more natural, healthy dry food such as True Instinct. Our Raw Boost product includes no nasties and all the ingredients they need to thrive, whilst still in a convenient format.”
For the ultimate ‘Dry January’, True Instinct Raw Boost offers premium dry innovation, combining a high meat bite with freeze-dried raw meat nuggets, packed with natural goodness, providing all the convenience of dry with the power of raw.
True Instinct is offering dog and cat owners 25% off its Raw Boost product for limited time only between 25th and 31st January 2019. For more information, visit www.trueinstinct.co.uk
