How people get their picky pups to eat

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

PICKY PET PALATES

NEW RESEARCH SAYS SEVEN IN 10 PARENTS BELIEVE THEIR PET IS JUST AS PICKY AN EATER, IF NOT EVEN PICKIER, THAN THEIR KIDS.

A RECENT SURVEY OF 2,000 DOG OWNERS FOUND THAT HALF OF RESPONDENTS SAID THEY “ALWAYS” OR “OFTEN” STRUGGLE TO GET THEIR DOG TO EAT THEIR MEALS (49%), WITH ALMOST THE SAME NUMBER ADMITTING THEY OFTEN ADD THINGS TO THEIR DOG’S FOOD TO GET THEM TO EAT IT (48%).

MORE THAN HALF OF DOG OWNERS CONSIDER THEIR PUPS TO BE PICKY EATERS (54%) BECAUSE THEY ONLY LIKE PARTICULAR FOODS (46%), THEY’RE NOT INTERESTED IN THEIR FOOD (44%) OR THEY DISLIKE CERTAIN INGREDIENTS (44%).

A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY ONEPOLL ON BEHALF OF JINX FOUND THAT ON AVERAGE, DOG OWNERS HAVE CYCLED THROUGH EIGHT TYPES OF FLAVORS OR BRANDS OF FOOD BEFORE FINDING THE RIGHT ONE.

PARENTS OF PICKY PETS GAVE SOME TIPS ON HOW THEY GET THEIR DOGS TO EAT THEIR FOOD, LIKE REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF HUMAN FOOD THEY GIVE THEM (33%), ADDING TOPPERS (33%) OR SLOWLY TRANSITIONING TO A NEW FOOD BY MIXING IT WITH THE OLD ONE (32%).

HOW TO GET PICKY DOGS TO EAT THEIR FOOD

• Reducing the amount of human food/table scraps - 33%
• Adding toppers (blueberries, cheese, etc.) - 33%
• Transitioning to a new food slowly (mixing old and new) - 32%
• Adjusting portions - 30%
• Switching to tastier food - 30%