New puppy parents are as overwhelmed as those with a newborn baby, study finds

New puppy parents are as overwhelmed as those with a newborn – with many following more than 10 dog-inspired TikTok accounts in the first weeks of their four-legged friend’s life, according to research. The study of 1,000 owners of a dog, aged up to 12 months, found 52 percent turned to social networks for advice when they first brought their pooch home – with 16 percent following more than 10 TikTok accounts in the early days.

However, 21 percent who surfed the net for advice found the volume of information and accounts overwhelming, while 42 percent felt anxious a lot of the time during the first few months of their canine’s life.

The research was commissioned by science-based pet nutrition brand, Royal Canin, to launch its “One in a Billion” campaign – partnering with Dr Sarah Heath FRCVS, a veterinary specialist in behavioural medicine, and dog lover, Binky Felstead, to offer a single source of credible information recognising the unique needs of puppies.

The brand also analysed more than 2,500 pieces of puppy-related online content, across more than 20 websites and social media platforms – and found 19 percent of images and videos returned when searching for “puppy advice” showed dogs displaying worried or anxious behaviours and body language.

This figure was highest of all on TikTok, with 28 percent of content related to the term featuring dogs showing signs consistent with these emotions.

A further 13 percent of videos returned on TikTok when searching “puppytraining” were for social media challenges, while 39 percent of “puppychallenge” results showed dogs looking anxious.

Dr Sarah Heath FRCVS said: “Research suggests that engaging puppies in social media trends is being mistakenly portrayed as a legitimate way of training young dogs.

“Beneficial early puppy education and training should be about ensuring that dogs can lead happy, quality lives, living harmoniously with people. If puppies are overwhelmed by emotion, they are not able to learn effectively.

If puppies are overwhelmed by emotion, they are not able to learn effectively

Dr Sarah Heath, FRCVS

“Ensuring that puppies are calm, and positively engaged with the world around them, is the best way to help them to become confident and sociable adults.”

The study of dog owners also found 64 percent value their pet as a member of the family, with 41 percent claiming their pooch is their best friend.

Yet 20 percent have participated in puppy-related social media challenges, such as the viral “Cheese Tax”.

And 19 percent have created mini portions of “human” food as a treat for their pet – going against expert advice, as they can contain potentially harmful ingredients, and unbalance the nutrients needed to support a puppy’s growth.

However, if they had that time again, 36 percent of puppy owners would do things differently.

Of these, 18 percent would avoid following social media advice altogether, and 37 percent would choose a single, reputable source of information to follow.

The study, conducted via OnePoll, also found 44 percent would value having more information on healthy puppy nutrition.

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And 45 percent said more information on which foods are toxic for their furry friends would be helpful.

Dr Lauren Hayes BVetMed MRCVS, a veterinarian at Royal Canin, added: “It’s always been an overwhelming moment when your new puppy arrives.

“But with tens of thousands of accounts to turn to now, it’s no wonder that new owners are feeling more overwhelmed than ever – and some are unwittingly falling into damaging behaviours with their new puppies.

“Alongside behaviour, pet nutrition is another area that is being flooded with misinformation online.

“Puppies have not yet developed their digestive systems, and need adapted levels of nutrients to support their growth – for example, at peak growth, puppies actually need up to four times as many calories as an adult dog.”

Dog lover, Binky Felstead, added: “I could never have imagined how instantly and deeply I would fall in love with our dog, Pedro. But I could also never have anticipated how challenging I would find some of the moments during his first few months with us.

“As a new puppy owner, you’re overloaded with advice – from social media, magazines, other dog owners, and friends. Finding a source of information you trust is so important, and can be a real turning point.”

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