Disrupting the pet sector – healthy dog, healthy planet

All good owners care about their pets, however the innovative start-up DoGood has made it its mission to take that commitment one pawprint further.

It’s helping dogs not only thrive but is also protecting the planet our four-legged friends share with us for future puppy generations!

100% plant-based

It’s created a 100% plant-based, fresh and nutritionally complete and balanced dog food with a low environmental impact, and the added benefit of being super healthy too.

Until now, its packaging wasn’t fully reflecting the brand’s environmental ethos.

Co-founder, Steve Hutchins, who runs the company with wife Christina, says: “We started to create our own food while we lived in Cambodia. Over there, dogs are considered food, not pets, and after adopting our own beagles, Bella and Watson, we were shocked when it came to the food available for them, so we decided to make our own instead.

Man’s best friend

“On returning to the UK, we were further horrified to learn what goes into commercial dog food here. It wasn’t just the unknown ingredients described as ‘meat and animal derivatives’, but also the processing involved to create the food.

“We aim to support man’s best friend, as well as our own environment. The meat-based industry is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases and with more people owning dogs, especially since the pandemic, demand has soared.

“Food processed mechanically means many nutrients are destroyed and artificial preservatives are added to provide a long shelf life. We are frequently made aware of the processed nature of our own diets, but the same consideration hasn’t been given to our pets and it’s been overlooked completely.”

Bold decisions

“As a result, we’ve worked with top canine nutritionists, and a Michelin star chef, to develop recipes that combine locally-sourced, organic plant-based ingredients to provide a set of meals to meet dogs’ needs. They’re vet approved, made in the UK and fully sustainable.

“To add to what we’ve learnt, we also make our meals by hand in a commercial kitchen, removing any factory-based or mechanical methods altogether.”

Low print runs for start-ups

Here at Newton Print, we work closely with many start-ups and SMEs on their packaging, helping demystify the process and our team was thrilled when Steve got in touch to ask us to help develop DoGood’s dog food packaging sleeves.

Together, using our sampling service we produced printed cardboard sleeves made from certified FSC cardboard for the dog food trays, which were freezer safe, fully recyclable and Carbon Balanced to further complement their brand values.

The aim

The aim was to produce packaging samples of their nine artwork versions, and then take advantage of our low minimum order volumes to print a short run, 250 of each version, at an affordable price. This was supported by quick delivery times to get the product ready for consumers to buy and dogs to enjoy.

Steve continues: “As a start-up, we were struggling to find a solution that would benefit us cost wise and help us get the business off the ground. The team and Tim provided fantastic service, put our minds at ease and were a pleasure to work with. Newton Print’s low minimum order allowed us to have a short print-run of our dog food packaging, which also reduced any potential wastage from overprinting. And there was the added benefit of super speedy delivery.

Carbon Balanced

“We also choose Newton Print as they’re certified Carbon Balanced printers. It’s a fantastic scheme that means, not only were we using fully recyclable materials and vegetable-based inks in our sleeves, but we were also offsetting carbon at the same time.”

Get in touch

If you’re a start-up in the pet industry or SME food and drink producer and you’re looking for forward-thinking, cost-effective sampling services for your printed packaging with quick delivery times, get in touch with us today to find out how we can help.