14 DAY TRIAL // Those of you who aren't particularly fond of their current job and happen to really like pooches might just want to consider embracing a rather bizarre career after reading this piece of news.
Not to beat about the bush, it turns out that there are people in this world who make a living eating dog food. They are known as professional dog food tasters and, apparently, earn quite a lot of money.
What the heck does a professional dog food taster actually do?
If we're going to be honest here, we have to admit that pretty much everybody would find it in themselves to eat dog food in exchange for money. If our beloved pooch loves it, surely we could learn to like it as well if offered some financial compensation, right?
The thing is that, contrary to what some might assume, there is more to being a professional dog food taster than just eating copious amounts of treats shaped to look like bones. Thus, dog food tasters are expected to identify flavors pooches are likely to enjoy or reject.
Besides, professional dog food tasters are employed by a brand to help make sure that the scent and the taste of the treats it makes and markets are in accordance with its quality standards. Hence the fact that, before actually eating the dig food they are supposed to evaluate, these folks must smell it.
“Although dogs’ palates are different to ours, taste is an important quality to check to ensure each different ingredient is perfectly balanced in just the right way,” explains professional dog food taster Philip Wells.
“Trying the food is also a good way to pick up on the nuances of the cooking: this works especially well on the dry kibbles,” the taster, now working with Lily's kitchen, goes on to add, as cited by Oddity Central.
Is eating dog food for a living really worth it?
The reason why you were warned that you might want to consider a change of career after reading this piece of news is because, as surprising as this might sound, it looks like professional dog food tasters can earn as much as $75,000 (roughly €63,000) a year.
Still, in order for this to happen, they have to really know their way around doggy treats. Thus, word has it that folks in an entry level position only make about $30,000 (approximately €25,500) a year.
The good news is that, since there is always room for improvement, there is no reason anybody couldn't become a professional dog food taster through and through.