The manufacturers of the dog treats point out that their produce is made from the finest ingredients and often put through complex food manufacturing processes, such as air drying.

The cost of dog snacks might be food for thought for some – or at least give owners a bone to pick or at least chew on – but the vast majority are happy spending without limit on their pets.

According to the market research company Mintel, 63 per cent of owners say that money concerns would make them more likely to cut back on spending on their own food than food for their pet. Mintel also found that 54 per cent of owners have looked to treat their pets more during the pandemic.

Dog snacks and treats have been the biggest winners in the pet food market during the pandemic, Mintel says, with value sales increasing by over eight per cent between 2020 and 2021.  

“As people sought out antidotes to the emotional toll of the pandemic, snacking and self-treating increased,” Mintel added. 

“This appears to be translating into a heightened desire among pet parents to similarly treat their dogs.

“While not limited to food, that 54 per cent of pet owners say they have looked to treat their pets more is clearly playing out in increased purchasing of snacks/treats, as well as trading up in this segment.”

Owners ‘getting the best quality’, say firms

More than 3.2 million households in the UK have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association.

As a result, the world of luxury canine living looks to be booming – with dog caviar becoming the latest addition to the market this summer.

And for many pet owners who choose to indulge their dogs, top quality treats are a price worth paying – even when such snacks exceed the cost of the human equivalent.