Something To Bark About: New Survey Highlights Parent, Canine Communication

SAN FRANCISCO, May 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- "Who's a good boy? Yes you are!" Dog parents who have uttered this phrase before are not alone!  A survey conducted for Kibbles 'n Bits^® dog food by Kelton Research revealed that 75 percent of dog parents use a different voice when talking to their dogs. Some parents divulged they use their "doggie voice" so much it can often sneak into everyday conversation. It's only natural that this accidental slip happens, given the close relationship dog parents and their dogs share within the household. In fact, nearly two in five (38 percent) of those who use a different voice when talking to their dogs have accidentally used it when speaking to people!

According to the survey, mealtime is a particularly important time for dog parents to communicate and bond with their pups. Nearly half (48 percent) of dog parents admitted to using their "doggie voice" during feeding time. These pet parents aren't the only members of the household who use a distinct voice for mealtime, however.  Forty-eight percent of respondents also claim their dog has a different bark when he or she is hungry.

"Communicating with four-legged family members during mealtime strengthens the special connection between dogs and their pet-parents. It proves that they certainly are speaking the same language," said Sue Resnicoff, Business Director, Kibbles 'n Bits^® dog food for Del Monte Corporation. "For this reason we are encouraging pet parents to celebrate their 'doggie voice,' and participate in our newest contest."

To showcase the bond between dog parents and their dogs, Kibbles 'n Bits^® brand is asking dog parents to show off their best doggie voices by entering the "Capture Your Bits of Love" Facebook contest from now until June 9^th for a chance to win $5,000* and a lifetime supply⁺ of Kibbles 'n Bits^® dog food.

IF ONLY DOGS COULD TALK
While survey respondents revealed they did their fair share of talking in a "doggie voice," they also speculated about what their dogs would sound like if they had a human voice. 

More than one-third (35 percent) of those with female dogs think their canine would most sound like Whoopi Goldberg over other celebrities with distinct voices. In addition, more than one-quarter (26 percent) of those with male pups think their dogs would sound like smooth-talking actor Morgan Freeman.

In an effort to bond even further with their pups at mealtime, dog parents took into consideration the personalities that would make their dogs the most eager to enjoy a great meal at the end of a long day. Almost a quarter (24 percent) of pet parents think their dogs would like to share a meal with Regis Philbin, as they think his voice would get their dog most excited, while nine percent of respondents believe his successor Michael Strahan would inspire the same reaction. What will Kelly think?

PUPPY LOVE CONNECTION
Couples, listen up: many might be able to take a page out of the pets' handbook. According to the survey responses, 41 percent of those who are in relationships assert they can communicate better with their dogs than their significant others! In fact, dog parents were so confident in their bond with their dogs, more than nine in ten (94 percent) respondents are convinced their pooches could pick their voices out of a crowd.

The Kibbles 'n Bits^® brand kicked off the "Capture Your Bits of Love" contest on May 10^th. Dog parents can go to www.kibblesnbitsoflove.com or log on to www.facebook.com/KibblesnBits now through June 9^th and upload a video of their dog responding to their "doggie voice" at dinnertime. Facebook fans will then vote for their favorite video and the grand prize winner will receive $5,000* and a lifetime supply⁺ of Kibbles 'n Bits^® dog food.

For more information about Kibbles 'n Bits^® dog food, visit http://kibblesnbits.com/.

*Awarded in the form of major bank prepaid debit cards.
⁺Calculated as a 14 year supply of any twelve (12) 19.36 lbs. bags per year of Kibbles 'n Bits^® dry dog food to be awarded as major bank prepaid debit cards.

About Del Monte Foods
Del Monte Foods is one of the country's largest producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded pet products and food products for the U.S. retail market, generating approximately $3.7 billion in net sales in fiscal 2012. With a powerful portfolio of brands, Del Monte products are found in eight out of ten U.S. households. Pet food and pet snacks brands include Meow Mix^®, Kibbles 'n Bits^®, Milk-Bone^®, 9Lives^®, Pup-Peroni^®, Gravy Train^®, Nature's Recipe^®, Canine Carry Outs^®, Milo's Kitchen^® and other brand names. Food product brands include Del Monte^®, Contadina^®, S&W^®, College Inn^® and other brand names. The Company also produces and distributes private label pet products and food products.

For more information on Del Monte Foods, visit the Company's website at www.delmontefoods.com.

Del Monte. Nourishing Families. Enriching Lives. Every Day.^®

Kelton Research
Kelton Research is a full service market research consultancy with offices in Los Angeles and New York. Kelton serves as a strategic partner to both Fortune 500 corporations and smaller companies, utilizing a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to drive tactical recommendations for clients. For more information about Kelton's services, please visit www.keltonresearch.com

Survey Methodology
The Kibbles 'n Bits^® Dog Food - Mealtime Survey was conducted by Kelton Research between April 15th and April 21st, 2013 among 1,023 American dog owners ages 18 and over, using an email invitation and an online survey.

Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample. The margin of error for any subgroups will be slightly higher.

SOURCE Del Monte Foods