Dog nutrition – no savings are made when it comes to dogs

When dog life is no longer “dog life”.
New figures show where pet owners invest the most

Dog owners hardly know any boundaries when it comes to their four-legged friends. Not just in terms of the love for them, but also the budget. This is shown by a current survey commissioned by the dog food manufacturer Butternut Box. People like to invest a lot in the well-being of their pets: over 90 percent of those surveyed prioritize the quality and taste of dog food, while just under half see the price as a deciding factor in their purchase. An exciting trend is emerging: pets often enjoy better “care” because they are perceived as completely dependent on their owners. With around eleven million dogs in Germany, not only is the need growing, but also the demand for healthy offerings that are produced responsibly. Interesting: almost 60 percent (1) of people look for inexpensive products when it comes to their own food, and more than 70 percent take special offers into account.

Berlin. In Germany, almost every second household has an animal, and in families with children the proportion is as high as 67 percent (2). Many people today no longer see their four-legged friends as pets, but as full family members. This close relationship is also reflected in the expenditure, says Daniel Topolanek, Managing Director Germany at Butternut Box: “In 2022 alone, the market for premium dog food grew by almost eight percent to 1.8 billion euros (3) And the demand continues to rise.” In addition, the generally increased health awareness of wealthy animal owners supports this trend, as the value of natural ingredients is increasingly appreciated. The company's current survey results underline the actual importance, because 97 percent of dog owners value the fact that their pet's food not only tastes good, but also really tastes good. Closely followed in the value ranking are high-quality ingredients and optimal nutrient distribution at around 90 percent. Good quality has its price, which dog parents are less afraid of: Only 47 percent of those surveyed said that this was an important decision-making factor. Topolanek sees the development as positive: “If you decide early on a high-quality dog ​​diet, you can prevent health consequences – the treatment of which then becomes even more expensive.”

The dog, my best friend
The emotional factors that influence dog owners' purchasing decisions should not be underestimated. While price often dominates in other areas of consumer goods, here love and a sense of responsibility determine actions. According to Topolanek, the increasing humanization of pets is an important reason: “In cities, the number of single-person households continues to rise and four-legged friends often take on much more than the role of a pet. People value and respect their dogs like a loyal family member. The same applies to older people who live alone and see their pet as an important companion against loneliness.” Innovative providers like Butternut Box are in keeping with the ravages of time, says Topolanek: “We only use food-grade ingredients for our freshly prepared dog meals not only taste good, but also be tasted by the team. Why? Because we ensure that they meet the highest standards – even the pickiest dogs.” There is a constant trend that people want to offer their pets a good and healthy life and take a closer look at their diet than they do their own .

Home delivery preferred
It becomes more difficult when you start looking for the high-quality, tasty food you want. “Traditionally, dog food in the supermarket sits between cleaning products and garbage bags. That shows what significance it has historically. If you want to find what you're looking for, you shouldn't rely on retail stores, you should also look online,” says Topolanek. This also meets the needs of around 70 percent of the dog owners surveyed: “They prefer food to be delivered to their home. The time savings and convenience seem to be an essential factor for many,” the expert continued. However, more than a third of respondents said they continue to purchase food from physical pet stores. This suggests that trust and personal advice still represent an important part of the buying process. 53 percent of dog owners who stated that they prefer well-known food brands that are also readily available in grocery stores also rely on what is familiar. “The numbers suggest that there will also be increasing pressure on stationary retailers to have more and more fresh food in their range,” says Topolanek.

Personalization is also on the rise for pets
In contrast, there is a new, completely different approach: According to the survey, 37 percent of respondents stated that they prefer individual feeding plans for their dogs. “The results reflect the trend that pet owners are placing more and more value on specially adapted solutions that are tailored to the special needs of their four-legged friend,” says Topolanek. Personalized feeding options take into account factors such as age, breed, health and activity level to ensure optimal care. “For many pet owners, this is an expression of responsibility and care as they want to ensure that their four-legged companions can live long, healthy and happy lives,” concludes Topolanek. The increasing demand shows that individuality is also important when it comes to the needs of animals.

About Butternut Box
Butternut Box is rethinking dog food. Since it was founded in Great Britain in 2016, the two founders Kev and Dave have pursued one goal: to bring more health and joy to all dogs and their people. The leading company for fresh food delivers meals, tailored for dogs of all ages and breeds, directly to your home in a flexible subscription model. All dishes are made from natural, food-grade ingredients – without any unnecessary additives – and served fresh from the fridge. Not dry, not wet, not raw: Butternut Box is fresh! Further information at www​.but​ter​nut​box​.de.

Sources
1 https://​www​.vzbv​.de/​p​r​e​s​s​e​m​i​t​t​e​i​l​u​n​g​e​n​ /​e​ r​n​a​e​h​r​u​n​g​s​r​e​p​o​r​t​-​2​0​2​3​-​p​r​e​ i​s​-​i​s​t​-​b ​e​i​m​-​l​e​b​e​n​s​m​i​t​t​e​l​e​i​n​k​a​u​f​-​w ​i​c​h​t​i​g​e​ s​-​k​r​i​t​e​r​i​u​m​?​u​t​m​_​s​o​u​r​c​e​=​c​h​ a​t​g​p​t​.​com
2 https://​www​.zzf​.de/​m​a​r​k​t​d​a​t​e​n​/​h​e​i​m​t​i​e ​r​e​-​i​n​-​d​e​u​t​s​c​h​l​land
3 https://​de​.sta​tis​ta​.com/​s​t​a​t​i​s​t​i​k​/​d​a​t​e​n​/​ s​t​u​d​i​e​/​1​5​6​3​4​1​/​u​m​f​r​a​g​e​ /​u​m​s​a​t​z​-​m​i​t​-​h​u​n​d​e​f​u​t​t​e​r​-​i​ n​-​d​e​u​t​s​c​h​l​a​n​d​-​n​a​c​h​-​f​u​t​t​e​r​ kind/