Survey finds puppy owners are overwhelmed by all the available pet food options

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Even though 45% of households in the United States and 20% in Canada report owning a dog, adjusting to becoming a dog owner can be overwhelming for clients.^1,2 Because this can be overwhelming for some owners, it can also be common for owners to develop uncertainty about where to start in regard to their pet’s nutrition, especially what pet food they should pick.

A survey conducted by Royal Canin consisted of 1023 puppy owners across North America. It found that 62% of puppy owners are overwhelmed with all of the choices out there for puppy food, and struggle to figure out the most important ingredients.³ To help make this process easier for pet owners, Royal Canin offered key considerations clients can use to help them determine which diet is right for their puppy.

"In our recent survey, we found that more than half of pet owners experience the 'puppy blues' and one of the top contributors highlighted the number of options when it comes to choosing the right diet for their pet," said Racquel White, vice president of corporate affairs, Royal Canin North America, in an organizational release.³ "Royal Canin is proud to provide more than 50 years of science-backed research focused on the precise nutritional needs of dogs throughout their life stages, so that pet owners can feel confident in the diet and the nutrients included in it as they grow into healthy adults."

Results of the survey found that 96% of respondents understand the importance of their puppy’s health, 42% do not feel knowledgeable about puppy nutrition. Royal Canin offered these 3 things veterinary teams can help new clients consider when purchasing food for their puppy³:

• Consulting an expert on the needs of your puppy at their first visit. Within the results of the survey, 82% of respondents disclosed they would change their dogs food based on an expert recommendation.
• Addressing the unique needs of the puppy. It can be tough to know the needs of a puppy, but a proper diet can address the specific nutritional needs of each puppy. This can then lay the foundation to help the puppy grow into a strong and healthy dog.
• Pick a diet based on sciences, not trends. It can be easy to fall into social media trends regarding diets for pets. Within the survey, 94% of responding puppy owners prioritize ingredient quality and scientific evidence in nutrition choices.

"As a veterinarian, I recognize there is a wide variety of pet food products available, and it may be confusing or overwhelming at times but it's important to remember, you're not alone in making this nutritional decision for your pet," said Courtney Deer, DVM.³ "Leaning on experts like my colleagues in the industry to inform your decisions on potential diets is a great way to help ensure your pet is getting the nutrition they need from puppyhood to adulthood."

References

1. American Veterinary Medical Association. U.S. pet ownership statistics. American Veterinary Medical Association. Published 2024. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statistics
2. Blair N. Pet Ownership Statistics in Canada for 2023 - Made in CA. Made In CA. Published October 26, 2023. https://madeinca.ca/pet-ownership-statistics-canada/
3. New Survey Finds 62% of Puppy Owners Feel Overwhelmed by Endless Number of Pet Food Choices. News release. Royal Canin. December 4, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-survey-finds-62-of-puppy-owners-feel-overwhelmed-by-endless-number-of-pet-food-choices-858534198.html