Butternut Box and University of Surrey announce multi-year research project into the health outcomes of fresh dog food through an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership

In today’s crowded pet food market, dog owners are inundated with choices and often face conflicting information about what’s truly best for their pets’ health and well-being. The KTP, jointly funded by a grant from Innovate UK, will aim to provide objective data on the relationships between different diets and dog health, to support the veterinary profession in providing nutritional advice. 

Butternut Box is committed to driving innovation through science-backed research that will advance pet nutrition and help pet owners make informed decisions. Led by in-house vet Dr Ciara Clarke, its approach to research is rooted in transparency and collaboration with leading academics. This ensures that every stage of the research - from methodology to results - is openly shared. With a focus on improving dog health and well-being, Butternut Box aims to contribute meaningfully to the wider veterinary community while empowering pet parents with trustworthy, evidence-based information to help their dogs live healthier, happier lives.

The project will develop and employ methodologies to explore how different diets may influence skin health, immune response, and overall well-being. Importantly, the study will be done with dogs at home, in their most natural and comfortable environment. Drawing on advances in human nutrition in areas such as gut health and the microbiome, the study will use the physiological similarities between humans and dogs to help drive progress in canine nutrition.

Butternut Box and the University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine are excited to be implementing the call from the BVA (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". 

This collaboration, co-led by Dr Teresa Hollands, Senior Lecturer at the University of Surrey, will not only generate the much-needed scientific evidence on the impact of different diets but also serve as a vital resource for educating future veterinarians and informing clinical practice - ensuring that both students and practitioners are equipped with quantifiable data to guide dietary advice for dogs.

About Butternut Box

Butternut Box is a UK-based fresh dog food company, founded by two friends, Kev & Dave. The two started the company after seeing the benefits that home-cooked food had on Dave's poorly rescue dog, Rudie. Butternut's mission is to deliver health and happiness to dogs and their humans all over the world.

Butternut Box delivers delicious, human-quality meals for dogs, full of freshly prepared ingredients, straight to customers’ doors. All meals are made with human-quality meat and vegetables, gently cooked to create simple, tasty and complete meals, and created with the right balance of vitamins and minerals for dogs of every age.

Committed to changing the dog world for good, Butternut Box is one of only a handful of B Corp pet food brands in the UK, and only two in the manufacturing space. Not only this, but for every new dog that signs up, Butternut Box donates a much-needed meal to a dog in need, providing greater care and support to dogs across the nation.

For more information, visit www.butternutbox.com. 

About Innovate UK KTPs

For 50 years, Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) have been forging collaborations between forward-thinking businesses and organisations, leading academics, and graduates to solve complex innovation challenges which help our economy, society, and environment. Each collaboration is a three-way partnership between: a business or organisation with an innovative idea or challenge; a UK knowledge base with the expertise to deliver the innovation or solve the challenge; and a graduate who will drive the project forward to delivery. KTPs support talented individuals into high-value employment, enrich academic institutions, and fuel the success and profitability of UK businesses.

Dr Shona Campbell, Knowledge Transfer Adviser, Innovate UK Business Connect said: “This is a great example of open innovation bringing together an ambitious business motivated to provide the best possible nutrition for its canine customers, with cutting edge expertise from the research base, to ensure product development is evidence informed. The Knowledge Transfer Partnership approach is a perfect fit”.