More than 3/4 of UK dogs are happy, claims pet food manufacturer

In celebration of National Dog Day on 26th August, Natures Menu has revealed that more than three quarters of UK dogs are happier than ever. 78 percent of dog owners have said they’ve identified their pooches to be happy, with this being the most recognisable emotion in dogs over sadness (54 percent), jealousy (29 percent) and guilt (40 percent ). 71 percent of dog lovers also shared that their pooch expressed their happiness by running and jumping around, followed closely by affectionately licking their owners (55 percent ). Dogs in Newcastle appear to be happiest of all, with 89 percent of their owners claiming that they demonstrate behaviour associated with happiness. Owners also highlighted excitement as a familiar emotion with 74 percent of pet parents being able to distinguish signs of enthusiasm in their dog, while 58% believed their dog displayed indications of love. There also seems to be some cheeky personalities amongst UK dogs, with 5 percent of dogs enjoying rolling in poo and 6 percent chewing shoes, according to their owners! The recent survey championed enjoying a walk as the activity that makes dogs the happiest, as 25 percent say this is what their furry friend enjoys most. Playing with their favourite toy (19 percent ) and eating (13 percent ) came a close second, suggesting that plenty of exercise and a nutritious meal ultimately leads to our canine counterpart’s overall health and happiness. Natures Menu veterinary nurse, Melanie Sainsbury, confirms that this is the best recipe for a well, happy dog: ‘‘The phrase ‘we are what we eat’ is just as true when it comes to our pets. Feeding them healthy, nutritious and natural food can make a huge difference to their health and happiness. “By looking at our pets and imagining how they evolved from the wild, we can be more empathetic to their needs. For example, dogs need plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation - they need to be active for a large proportion of the day and should be fed on a diet of unprocessed foods. By considering these things, we can ensure we are giving our pets everything they need to be their happiest.” Craig Taylor, Managing Director at Natures Menu, said: “National Dog Day is the perfect opportunity to highlight how you can ensure your pet is healthy and therefore, happy! It’s great to see so many owners recognising their furry friends’ emotions, including happiness. The reasons for this are as simple as a healthy diet, good exercise, and of course, lots of love and affection from their pet parent!” “All owners want what’s best for their pet, and we’ve found with many pets fed on a natural or raw diet, owners see a drastic difference to their health within days, so it’s certainly something to consider if you feel your pet doesn’t quite seem at his or her happiest. We’d also like to thank all of our customers for sending in their lovely videos.” For more information about Natures Menu visit www.naturesmenu.co.uk *Research by The Leadership Factor conducted in August 2017 with 1,010 UK dog owners.