If you follow Best Bark, you probably know Vito. He’s our four-year-old Chihuahua mix, the undisputed king of the household, and I’ll be the first to admit it, he is completely and utterly ruined!
Being our first dog, we made the classic “new parent” mistake: we gave him human food. Early and often. Because of that, Vito spent the first four years of his life convinced he was a tiny human who simply happened to have fur 😵💫. He became the definition of a fussy eater. If it didn’t have fresh chicken from the fridge or a dusting of grated cheese on top, he wouldn’t even consider it a meal.
The “What am I, a dog?” Attitude
Vito’s fussiness became legendary. He would turn his nose up at every premium dog food we bought. Unless we shredded fresh chicken over the top or grated a bit of cheese from the fridge, he wouldn’t look at it. It even became a bit mortifying because even out and about, if a well-meaning stranger offered him a dog treat, he’d give them a look that clearly said, “Excuse me, do I look like a common canine to you?”
So, when Naturo approached us about a partnership, I was beyond sceptical. I’ve tried everything. I figured it would be just another bowl of food that I’d eventually have to “season” with £2.99 packet chicken 🥴.
I was wrong.
The “Happy Food Dance”
Naturo sent us their poultry selection of both their natural wet and dry food to try. So I put a little bit of wet food on top of a little bit of dry food. From the very first bowl, something changed. For the first time in five years, Vito didn’t wait for the chicken topper. He didn’t wait for the cheese.
He did a happy dance!
I’m not joking, he literally herds us toward the kitchen, barking and dancing until the bowl hits the floor. He devours it. He licks the bowl so clean I barely need to wash it. The only other time he’s ever reacted like this is for fillet steak… So seeing him actually excited for dog food was the “lightbulb moment” for this partnership.
Beyond the Taste: Real Health Benefits
While the fact that he actually eats it is the biggest win for me, we’ve noticed a significant physical difference, too.
Like many small breeds, Vito has always struggled with his anal glands. It’s a common (and slightly gross) issue that used to land us at the vet every other month like clockwork to get them sorted.
I’m not going to sit here and tell you Naturo “fixed” it, it hasn’t, but the change in his diet has clearly made a difference. We’ve gone from vet visits every eight weeks to maybe every three or so months now. For a small dog owner, that is a significant improvement in quality of life (and the vet bill!).
Why We Partnered with Naturo
We don’t do “empty” affiliate links at Best Bark. We only partner with brands that we actually use and trust. Here is why Naturo made the cut:
- Vito isn’t exactly a trained professional: Let’s be honest, Vito is many things, but a “paid actor” isn’t one of them. He’s a dog. He doesn’t understand the concept of a “brand deal” or “sponsored content.” If he thought the food was rubbish, he would simply walk away, and there isn’t a treat in the world that would convince him to do his happy dance for a photo. We literally couldn’t partner with a company he didn’t approve of, because his tail doesn’t lie, and as anyone with a Chihuahua knows, they don’t do anything they don’t want to do.
- 100% Natural Ingredients: There are no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives. Just high quality meat, veg, and essential vitamins that even a “human food only” dog can get behind.
- Family Owned & Local: They’ve been making pet food in County Armagh for 50 years. Supporting a local Northern Ireland business that actually cares about animal welfare is a huge priority for us.
- Locally Sourced Ingredients – Ensuring full traceability to reputable suppliers: You can actually see the quality of the ingredients, which is probably why Vito thinks he’s still eating off our dinner plates!
- Gentle Digestion: Their grain free and sensitive options are perfect for dogs like Vito who have specific digestive needs.
If you have a “human-food-only” dog or a fussy eater who thinks they’re too good for the bowl, I cannot recommend Naturo enough. Vito is living proof that even the most spoiled dog can be converted.
(Mind you, don’t get it twisted, he is still completely ruined. He still expects to be carried over puddles, he still won’t settle without his favourite blanket, and he firmly believes he is the one who pays the mortgage. We’ve fixed his dinner, but we’re definitely stuck with the diva. At least now he’s a diva who actually licks the bowl clean!)
Want to try Naturo for your dog?
Best Bark readers can get 20% off storewide using our Naturo link or the code BESTBARK20 at checkout.
Amée is the co founder of Best Bark, a Northern Ireland based platform helping dog owners find dog friendly places, local walks, events and verified dog services across NI. She shares practical advice, honest recommendations and local guides shaped by life with her own dog, Vito, alongside her background in digital marketing and community led content.
