British dog owners feel their dogs are the unsung heroes of the pandemic, boosting moods and even providing as much support as friends and family members during tough times
During a year filled with uncertainty and change, nearly six in 10 British dog owners (57%) say that the one constant which has helped them through the tough times has been their furry friends.
Research conducted by Hilton reveals that the vast majority of British pet owners feel the pandemic would have been much harder for them without their canine companions, who boosted moods (86%) and provided companionship during tough times (86%). Eight in 10 (80%) state the pandemic would have been a lot harder for them without their cuddly canine and 82% even claim their dog has been as valuable and supportive as family and close friends over the past 12 months.
It’s no surprise that as restrictions ease, a quarter of dog owners are looking to prioritise their pet’s happiness more than before, with 60% looking to repay their pooches for their valiant lockdown efforts by showering them with treats and some much-deserved TLC.
The bond between pet and owner has become so strong over lockdown that almost a fifth (17%) would prioritise their dog over their friends, while one in five would go as far as only seeing friends and family who are fond of their dog (22%). When it comes to holiday planning, a third (27%) claimed they would specifically look for dog-friendly hotels to ensure their dog could join them – in fact, a quarter (26%) claim they won’t travel without their pups at all.
In response, Hilton has unveiled Bone Appétit, a mouth-watering new dog menu to provide the nation with an easy way to show their canine pals they care. The bespoke menu will be available to guests and their beloved pets across 32 of Hilton’s pet-friendly hotels in the UK and Ireland from May 17.
Developed together with veterinary nutrition experts and approved by DogFriendly, which provides dog lovers with information on exploring dog-friendly hotels and restaurants throughout the UK, the canine-coveted menu consists of four ‘pup-tastic’ meal options:
Beef Doguignon: Slow-cooked beef brisket served with mashed potato, carrots, green beans, sweetcorn, broad beans and gluten-free gravy.
Mutt Roast: Gluten-free tomato pasta, topped with mature cheddar cheese and roasted in the oven.
Earl Greyhound: A calming blend of lavender, rose petals, lime flower and orange flowers. Perfect for anxious pooches recovering from long car journeys or staying away from home.
Tailwagger Creek: A non-alcoholic wine infused with elderflower, nettle, ginseng, lime flower and black carrot.
Julie Baker, UK&I vice president, Hilton, owner of a Border Terrier called Muttley, age 7, said: “We are thrilled to launch our bespoke dog menu, Bone Appétit, across over 30 properties as a way to help pet owners give their furry family members a special reward post-pandemic. I cannot wait to treat Muttley to a hard-earned Mutt Roast and a little weekend away at our local Hilton!”
Hilton offers beds and water bowls across 74 of its dog-friendly hotels in the UK and Ireland, with brands including Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton. The Bone Appétit room service menu will be available for your furry friends at 32 hotels. For more information on Hilton’s dog-friendly hotels and to see what other amenities are offered at participating hotels, visit Explore.Hilton.com.
Since the pandemic, Hilton has introduced CleanStay, an industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection; extended its re-booking and cancellation policy, allowing guests greater travel flexibility; and introduced new discounted Dream Away rates.
Through Hilton’s Dream Away offer, Hilton Honors members can enjoy savings up to 15 percent on hotel stays across the UK, as well as benefiting from early check-in and late check-out. Perfect for those who just don’t want their holiday to end! Join Hilton Honors for free to benefit. To give guests extra flexibility, most individual reservations can be changed or cancelled at no charge, up to 24 hours before the scheduled arrival day.
Note to editors: The survey was conducted by One Poll in April 2021 and polled 2,000 UK dog owners
