Dogs' Dinners

Part One

When I was young, I am sure there were only three dog foods on the market: Chum wet food, Winalot dry food, and Bonio treats. Now, supermarkets dedicate entire aisles to pet products, complemented by myriad online subscription services, national pet chains, countless local pet shops, garden centre outlets, market stalls, veterinary offices, and dog cafés – need I go on?

So, once you’ve decided where to get the food from, there's the decision on what type: wet, dry, raw, cold-pressed, dehydrated, frozen, pouch, tin, hypoallergenic, grain-free, premium, organic, broth, gravy, food toppers. When did it get so confusing? What's the best option for my dog? Are expensive brands worth it?

I began exploring this when I took my dog, Lagertha Christie, for her six-monthly check-up and was informed that she could stand to lose a little weight (oh, the embarrassment, my poor baby, what a terrible dog mum I've been!). So, rather than doing the sensible thing and consulting the vet on the best way to assist her weight loss, I made a hasty exit stage left as soon as I could, as though pursued by a bear!

Having had a complex relationship with my own weight over the years, it has triggered childhood memories. These include standing in the special queue at primary school where I only received a salad for lunch (before salads were appealing!), my brother changing the lyrics of the 1981 Imagination track to sing 'body fat' instead of 'body talk', and a senior school trip to France where some kids played a mean trick on me regarding my weight, despite me being skinny at that time.

When we got Lagertha as a puppy, we continued with the recommended food from the breeder, a well-known brand of kibble. I had decided to feed her dry food to avoid a messy, smelly, and discoloured beard. However, Lagertha had other ideas. Initially, she devoured her meals, but gradually her interest faded. We switched to another kibble brand, and her interest sparked briefly before dwindling again. One brand had kibble pieces of different shapes; she took a dislike to one particular shape, consistently leaving it in her bowl. We tried adding warm water, using toppers, switching bowls, and feeding her at various times of day, before ultimately accepting that we needed to transition to a wet diet.

Now, I must confess that I am a marketing department's dream, swayed by fancy packaging, posh scientific words, and easily lured into subscription services. I think I've tried them all, so who better to go full-on Wags-Wagatha Christie mode and investigate dogs' dinners?

So, first, let's put this in context. UK Pet Food publishes annual obesity statistics for dogs. Here are some of their 2024 findings:

• 74% of vets believe pet obesity levels are increasing

• 77% of owners think their pet is the right size & weight

• Only 4% of owners think their pet needs to lose weight

• 50% of dogs are overweight

This suggests a notable disparity between what guardians believe and what veterinary professionals understand. Are we unaware? Do we minimize it? Do we truly comprehend the health implications of obesity? Or is it just a matter of not being able to resist their adorable head tilt and begging eyes? I know I'm guilty of it!

What's the harm, you ask? They look cute with extra padding, and spoiling them with treats makes them happy.

• 37% of owners save bits of human food for their pets

• 22% give treats to feel closer to their pets

• 26% of vets think treating is the number one contributor to obesity

• Only 19% of owners set a treat limit after checking calorie intake

Perhaps it's not surprising, but the issue is complex.

• 48% of owners use only prepared pet food

• 52% look at alternatives or supplement with human scraps and treats

• 59% admit diet changes due to the cost-of-living crisis

"I follow the dog food packet guideline," you say. "No way my dog is overweight."

• 63% of owners claim they follow the guideline

• 19% admit they don't follow guidelines or find them confusing

• 18% of owners weigh their pet's food

Does this mean guidelines are wrong, or are we misinterpreting them?

• 50% of owners have never sought vet advice on their pet's weight

• 15% guess their pet’s weight

• Only 7% know how to feel the pet’s ribs for a proper check

• 1% use a body condition chart

Scratching your head about what a body condition chart is? You're not alone—I'm curious about how that 1% discovered it, too. For those of us still in the dark, here's a link to learn about the body condition chart and find out your dog's score.

https://www.ukpetfood.org/spotlight-on-obesity/how-to-identify-if-a-pet-needs-help/dog-size-o-meter-new.html 

Coming soon….Part 2 Where we can compare body condition scores and discover more about dogs' dinners.

Wag-Wagatha Christie 🐾🐶🔎

References 

https://www.ukpetfood.org/spotlight-on-obesity/pet-obesity-data-statistics.html 

accesses 31/01/2025