Is your dog a fussy eater? Leaving behind half a bowl of food no matter how lovingly you serve it? Well, lots of owners say mealtimes feel like a guessing game. One day the bowl is licked clean, the next it’s barely touched.
We spoke to dog owners about their mealtime struggles and it turns out it’s a pretty common problem. Lots of dog parents deal with picky eaters and wasted dinners, but not many people talk about just how much food ends up in the bin every day.
In this report, we’re looking at what dog food waste really looks like, why it happens, and, most importantly, how you can tackle it at home. To give you the best advice, we’ve teamed up with our two top pet pros, Adem Fehmi and Dr Scott. They’ll share their tips on cutting down waste, keeping mealtimes stress free, and helping your pup lick the bowl clean every time.
In our latest survey, we asked dog owners how much food ends up going to waste and why. The answers were pretty eye-opening, with more uneaten dinners than you’d expect. A few really caught our attention:
- Well over half of the dog owners we spoke to said they throw food out every day. Sometimes it’s just a few mouthfuls, and in some cases whole bowls go to waste. Over time, any amount of food thrown away can quickly add up, along with the cost.
- On average, each dog-owning household throws out 85.2 kg of food a year, about the same weight as a washing machine plus a microwave. That’s close to four-fifths of a standard wheelie bin filled entirely with wasted dog food.
A bit of waste is bound to happen, but knowing why it happens means you can make small changes that help your dog and the planet too. From serving up the right portion sizes to finding food they really love, little tweaks can keep tails wagging and bins a bit lighter.
Reasons why dog food goes to waste
Our survey answers show one of the biggest reasons we see a lot of dog food go down the bin is overfeeding.
In fact, over 30% of dog owners waste food simply because they were a bit too generous with their scoops. Thankfully this is one of the easiest problems to fix if we stick to the recommended portion sizes for our furry friends.
Make sure your furry friend gets exactly what they need by taking the guesswork out of mealtimes. Try our free dog food calculator on any of our range of products.
Our survey also shows a whopping 45% of dog owners throw away wet food the most, that’s well above dry food, raw food, dog treats, and even homemade meals. This makes a lot of sense seeing how wet food tends to spoil quickly once opened and left out. If you find you’re wasting more wet food than you’d like, try switching to a high-quality dry food like Barking Heads’ dry recipes. Our feeding guide makes switching a breeze by helping you serve the right portions every time!
Meanwhile, 21% of dog owners replied saying they throw away homemade meals the most and around 41% of dog owners in our survey said their dogs can be a little picky, which sometimes means skipped meals and wasted food. A quarter told us they end up throwing that food away, while another 25% said they prefer to leave it out in case their dog comes back to it later.
While leaving food out might feel like the easier option, it’s not always the safest choice for your pet. As TV vet and Barking Heads ambassador Dr Scott explains:
“Wet dog food should never be left out for more than two hours, as it can spoil quickly and pose health risks. Dry kibble is generally safe to leave out for the day, but be mindful of freshness, especially in warm or humid environments. To keep your dog safe, always wash food bowls daily, store kibble in airtight containers, and watch for signs of pests or mold. If your dog doesn't finish meals right away, consider feeding smaller portions or using a timed feeder to maintain hygiene and avoid waste.”
For fussy eaters, we usually suggest mixing things up with a varied diet, trying both dry and wet foods to keep mealtimes more appealing. A simple fix is Barking Heads Fuss Pot, a grain-free recipe made especially for picky dogs.
Giving unwanted dog food a second life
We’ve already seen how much dog food ends up in the bin, but what can we actually do about it? One of the best ways to cut down on waste is by donating spare food to local food banks or pet shelters. The reality though is that 77% of owners don’t donate their leftovers. Just 12% said they take unused dry food to a shelter, and that drops to 11% for wet food.
Looking at the regional picture, donation habits vary a lot. In places like Manchester, Belfast and Norwich, fewer than one in ten owners said they donate both dry and wet food to shelters.
In London and the West Midlands, donations sit at around 12%, so only about 1 in 10 dog owners are giving unused food. There’s still a lot of room to grow. The picture looks a bit brighter in Sheffield and Newcastle where 15% of owners donate both food types, and Liverpool does even better at 19%. Leeds leads the way (no pun intended!) with more than 1 in 5 (22%) dog owners donating unused dry food.
It’s great to see more dog owners starting to see the value in passing on food their pups won’t eat. It’s a simple act that helps local shelters, keeps good food out of the bin, and even cuts down the environmental paw-print of pet ownership.
If you’ve got unopened, in-date food your dog isn’t keen on, consider donating it to a local pet charity or food bank. Places such as Animal Foodbank UK, Blue Cross, Battersea, and Waltham Forest Pet Food Bank (see our map below) are always happy to accept donations and your contribution could make a real difference to another dog’s day.
What are dog owners spending on food each month?
The cost of living crisis is tough on households across the UK, but when it comes to our four-legged family members, most people are still happy to put a good chunk of their budget towards quality food. In our survey, 27% of dog owners said they spend between £31 and £50 a month on food, with even more in other regions.
Some owners spend even more, with 16% putting £76–£100 a month towards their dog’s food. In some areas, even higher numbers of dog parents are happy to splash out, showing just how much value people place on keeping their pups well fed.
Dog owners are clearly happy to invest in quality food, but the real challenge is making sure it actually gets eaten. Finding the right fit for your dog’s tastes can make all the difference and helps keep less food going to waste.
Choosing tasty, good-quality food they love, whether that’s a favourite flavour, a mix of wet and dry, or a recipe made especially for fussy eaters like Fuss Pot, can mean happier mealtimes, fewer leftovers and better value for what you spend. Not to mention, 95% of Barking Heads shoppers recommend these super recipes - with the average based on the All Hounder dry food range.
As Dr Scott says:
“Feeding your dog high-quality food supports their whole body – from digestion and energy levels to joint health and disease prevention. It’s one of the most effective ways to help them live a longer, more comfortable life."
If your dog often leaves food in their bowl, you’re not alone. Many owners struggle with picky eating, mealtime boredom or simply not knowing what their dog prefers. To help, our expert dog behaviourist Adem and TV Vet Dr Scott share their top tips on spotting the signs your dog likes or dislikes their food, along with five tips to help your dog finish their bowl every time. From mixing wet and dry food to adding tasty toppers and trying new combinations, there are plenty of simple tricks to keep tails wagging and bowls empty.
Adem’s signs a dog may not be enjoying their food
Whilst refusal or reluctance to eat can be caused by your dog simply not enjoying their food, refusal to eat can happen for a number of other reasons,” Adem says. “It is important to rule out any medical causes, including dental issues, with a veterinarian before looking at your dog’s food as the cause. Behaviour issues, including possession, fears and phobias around food can also play a part in a dog refusing to eat or be reluctant to eat at times.”
- “Picky or slow eating can be a sign that your dog might not value their food, especially if this is a trend with each meal given.”
- “Playing with food or burying food can also signal a lack of enjoyment, however this could also indicate possessive based issues. It is important to seek behavioural advice if you believe your dog may be suffering with this.”
- “If your dog is reluctant to eat their food, sometimes this can be due to the way that the food is served rather than the food itself. Some dogs may prefer to eat food that has been scattered, or included in a game, food dispensing toy, or given during training activities.”
- “If you are giving lots of treats, chews, or other food such as left overs and tit bits from your own plate throughout the day and outside of mealtimes this can leave your dog feeling full, resulting in your dog ignoring their usual, nutritionally complete dog food. This can in some cases also encourage fussy feeding which can, in turn, cause an issue with them receiving the correct nutrition for their needs.”
Adem’s signs that show a dog is enjoying their meals
- “Eating a full meal can be a sign that your dog enjoys their food, especially if this is combined with relaxed, happy behaviour.”
- “Some dogs will actively wait for dinner time, although this can also be due to set routines and your dog anticipating the next ‘event’ in their day. Advancing towards their bowl eagerly and tucking in straight away however certainly suggests enjoyment!”
- “A happy, relaxed manner after eating can also show contentment and an enjoyment of the food offered, as well as indicating that your dog feels satisfied.”
- “A good level of energy for their age and breed, as well as a glossy coat, is a good indicator that your dog is enjoying their food and receiving the right nutrition for their needs.”
To help with feeding (Adem’s advice):
“Be proactive rather than reactive with feeding! Visit your vet to rule out any underlying issues if your dog seems disinterested in food. Look at the way you are giving food – keep mealtimes calm and relaxed and avoid competition for food between dogs in multi dog households. This might mean feeding individual dogs in separate areas.
Be aware of any possessive based behaviours and seek behavioural advice from an accredited behaviourist to overcome these should they arise. Signs can include being wary or nervous around food, displaying unsure body language or reacting aggressively, including lip curling or growling.
Keep your treats neat! Keep treats for positively rewarding your dog during training and for encouraging behaviours you want to see more of.”
Dr Scott’s 5 tips to help your dog finish their bowl every time
Dr Scott advices “To encourage your dog to finish their bowl every time try these simple tricks and help reduce wasted food:”
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A calm environment:
“Encourage eating by limiting distractions during mealtime. Making sure they have a calm distraction free environment to eat comfortably is important for creating healthy eating habits without your dog feeling threatened or rushed. Allowing them to focus on eating.”
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Warming Meals:
“If your dog seems uninterested in their meal try heating it up, often this enhances the aromas and flavour which could spark more interest from your pup.”
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Food Toppers:
“Adding additional toppings to your dog’s regular food is a great way to mix things up and keep things exciting - but take care, if your dog has a sensitive stomach or known food allergy/intolerance.Toppers can introduce new flavours while boosting nutritional value to the meal. It’s an easy way to treat your dog to new flavours without switching foods and wasting unfinished bags. For example, Barking Heads Fuss Pot Duck pairs great with cucumbers – adding a new tasty treat!”
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Mixed Wet and Dry Food:
“Mixed feeding refers to offering your dog a combination of both wet and dry food in their diet. Using mixed feeding techniques can all help add more flavour to your dog’s diet, giving your dog variety and flexibility to their diet. The range of textures can make the bowl more palatable and enjoyable for your dog.”
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Flavour Rotation:
“Rotating flavours is a cost-effective and simple way to keep dogs excited for meal time. Be careful if your dog has a sensitive stomach or known food allergy/intolerance. Variety packs are a great option, letting you switch between flavours without committing to individual bags. Helping prevent boredom and reduce dog food waste if they lose interest. Keeping variety makes it more likely your dog will consistently enjoy their meals.”
