UK-based Butternut Box and the University of Surrey have launched a multi-year research project to study the health outcomes of fresh dog food through an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership. The study aims to provide objective data on relationships between different diets and dog health to support veterinary professionals in providing nutritional advice.
The project, jointly funded by an Innovate UK grant, will develop methodologies to explore how different diets may influence skin health, immune response and overall well-being in dogs. The study will be conducted with dogs in their home environments rather than clinical settings.
Led by Butternut Box's in-house veterinarian Dr. Ciara Clarke, the research will draw on advances in human nutrition, particularly in gut health and microbiome research, leveraging physiological similarities between humans and dogs to drive progress in canine nutrition.
The collaboration is co-led by Dr. Teresa Hollands, senior lecturer at the University of Surrey's School of Veterinary Medicine. The partnership responds to calls from the British Veterinary Association for "long-term, controlled studies needed to investigate … health benefits such as improvements in skin and gastrointestinal conditions" as well as "clear, independent information and recommendations which support the veterinary profession when discussing companion animal feeding."
"Butternut Box is committed to driving innovation through science-backed research that will advance pet nutrition and help pet owners make informed decisions," the company stated. The research approach emphasizes transparency and collaboration with academic institutions, with all methodology and results to be openly shared.
The study will serve as a resource for educating future veterinarians and informing clinical practice, providing quantifiable data to guide dietary recommendations for dogs.
"At Butternut, we're proud to invest in and champion transparent research that ensures our business decisions are guided by cutting-edge science," said Dave Nolan, co-founder at Butternut Box. "In recent years, we’ve focused on demonstrating the health benefits of feeding Fresh, as well as broader issues like weight management and fussy eating behavior - these findings are made public on our Research Hub at ButternutBox.com. We’re excited to collaborate with the University of Surrey in this ground-breaking KTP project, which we hope will illustrate the transformative power of Fresh over traditional diets.
Butternut Box, founded by Kevin Glynn and Nolan after seeing health improvements in Nolan's rescue dog through home-cooked food, produces fresh dog food delivered to customers throughout the UK.
