Your dog ate WHAT? Survey reveals the most shocking items pets have devoured

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NEW YORK — Is there anything a dog won’t eat when we’re not watching? From a winning lottery ticket to their owner’s social security card and a stick of butter — a new poll is revealing some of the strangest things our beloved companions have unfortunately scarfed down.

The survey of 2,000 American dog owners asked respondents about their dogs’ diet: including the good, the bad, and the weird.

A box of tampons, the spackle on the walls, and four television remote controls were some of the craziest things dogs have tried to eat. Some dogs got into the holiday spirit, with one pup eating a dove-shaped Christmas tree ornament — ouch!

“Anything she sees outside, she will put in her mouth,” another dog owner confesses.

Commissioned by Darwin’s Natural Pet Products and conducted by Talker Research, the survey found U.S. pet owners have to stop their dogs from eating something they shouldn’t every three days. This is particularly prevalent among puppies. The average dog owner says that when their pup was 20 months-old, they had to be extra careful about non-food objects being eaten.

Despite dogs getting into all sorts of things they shouldn’t, pet parents are aware of the danger. One said it was “very scary” when their dog ate some chocolate, and another had to take their dog to the vet after they chewed off — and swallowed — the tail of a toy fabric squirrel!

A whopping 77% worry about their dog’s health when they eat something they shouldn’t — and 59% also worry there are times they don’t notice when their dog gets into something.

With dogs eating all these strange things, perhaps it’s not a surprise that respondents don’t actually know what their dog eats — even when it’s the food in their bowl. A fifth (21%) admitted they’ve never read the nutritional label on the back of their dog food. Even those who have read the label were only familiar with half (56%) of the ingredients listed.

“A pet food ingredient list should read like a home-cooked recipe, not a chemistry equation,” says Gary Tashjian, Founder and CEO of Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, in a statement. “Pet parents want their pups to be happy and healthy, and that starts with having confidence in (and being able to pronounce) everything that goes into the dog’s food bowl.”

When picking food for their dog, whether their dog likes it (44%) is a dog owner’s top consideration. That was followed by the nutritional value (36%), whether it’s a brand they’re familiar with (36%), and the price (27%). With that, 45% would feed their dog a different food if price wasn’t a factor.

The survey found that 78 percent are confident they know what a healthy diet looks like for their dog — but only 45 percent said the diet they’re feeding their dog is “very” healthy (another 52% said it’s “somewhat” healthy).

Over half (56%) would like to feed their dog a healthier diet — perhaps because the majority understand that food impacts their dog’s overall health (74%) and longevity (75%). Still, there are barriers for many respondents when trying to switch their dog to a healthier diet.

Price again plays a factor, as 46% find healthier options too expensive. Respondents also said that their dog is a picky eater and hasn’t liked other healthy options they’ve tried (32%), and others believe their local stores have a limited selection of options (20%).

“If you’re on a journey to improve your pet’s nutrition, that’s wonderful,” Tashjian says. “It might not happen overnight, but you can help them benefit from healthier options by sticking to a consistent feeding schedule and limiting treats in between meals. Aim for the highest-quality ingredients you can afford, including real meat (not meat by-products) and a variety of vegetables.”

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 American dog owners; the survey was commissioned by Darwin’s Natural Pet Products and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Sept. 20–25, 2024.