Almost a third (29%) of dog owners have admitted they regret purchasing their pet, with one in 10 going as far as considering putting their dog up for adoption, a study has revealed.

According to the research of more than 1,000 UK dog owners commissioned by raw and natural pet food expert Natures Menu, 32% of dog owners revealed they felt they didn’t have enough expert advice and guidance to help them through the struggles of pet ownership.

As a result, 7% would go as far to say that they would not recommend getting a puppy or dog to those that may be considering welcoming a pet into their home.

To combat the issue of the concerning number of dogs that are likely to be made homeless potentially by Christmas, Natures Menu has launched a podcast to address the key concerns for new dog owners, from weaning puppies to socialising with other dogs and humans, as well as top training tips for misbehaving dogs.

Melanie Sainsbury, veterinary education manager at Natures Menu, said: “Getting a dog is a massive commitment and careful consideration needs to be made before choosing to purchase or adopt one. It’s heart-breaking to hear that so many dogs are at risk of not having a loving home and that pet owners feel they don’t have enough advice on how to deal with bringing a dog into the home.”