What is The Thrive Check?

The Thrive Check is a free dog nutrition assessment for dog parents across New Zealand. Unlike a generic quiz that spits out an automated result, every response is personally reviewed by Hilary Wilkie, certified canine nutritionist. You answer a few questions about your dog and their current diet (it takes around two minutes) and a tailored nutrition snapshot lands in your inbox.

You fill your dog's bowl every day — commercial food, fresh food, or a bit of both. And somewhere in the back of your mind, a quiet question lingers: is this actually right for my dog?

Maybe you're feeding a commercial diet and wondering if it's truly enough.

Maybe you want to add fresh food but don't know where to start without throwing things off balance.

Maybe you've read that kibble is bad, or that raw is dangerous, or that meals have to be complete and balanced. And now you're not sure what to believe or trust.

Or maybe you're simply curious. Your dog seems fine. But fine and thriving aren't the same thing.

If any of this sounds familiar, you're in the right place.

You don't need to become a canine nutritionist to understand your dog's nutrition. You just need a clear, honest read form someone who already is one.

A nutrition snapshot, personalised to your dog

What does The Thrive Check include?

A personalised overview of how your dog's nutrition is tracking, practical, honest, and tailored to your dog and your lifestyle. No jargon, no overwhelm.

You'll receive:

  • A personalised email within one business day with observations and recommendations specific to your dog
  • Simple, practical next steps you can implement without overhauling everything
  • Curated free resources to help you go further at your own pace
  • An invitation to book a complimentary 15-minute chat if you'd like to talk things through.

Is The Thrive Check right for my dog?

The Thrive Check is designed for healthy dogs whose owners want to understand and improve their dog's overall nutrition, regardless of whether they're feeding commercial food, fresh food, raw, homemade, or a combination.

  • Happy brown dog with a blurred green background

    ✅ This is for you if...

    • You want an honest, expert read on whether your dog's nutrition is working
    • You're considering adding fresh food and don't know where to start
    • You're overwhelmed by conflicting information and want clarity from someone you can trust
    • You're curious about your dog's nutrition but not ready to commit to a full coaching programme yet
  • Close-up of a basset hound sitting on grass.

    ❌ This isn't for you if...

    • Your dog has a diagnosed health condition that requires therapeutic nutrition support. 1:1 Coaching is a better fit
    • You're looking for a detailed analysis of your dog's specific commercial food. That's what Beyond the Label is designed for
    • You're looking for brand recommendations

How does the free dog nutrition assessment work?

A simple three-step process to see how your dog's nutrition is tracking.

  • Woman sitting on a couch with a laptop and phone, accompanied by a dog.

    Step 1: Tell us about your dog

    Answer a few questions about your dog and their nutrition. It will take about 2 minutes.

  • Person using a laptop on a desk with a cup, plant, and notebook.

    Step 2: An expert reviews your answers

    Hilary Wilkie, certified canine nutritionist, personally reviews your answers.

  • Person using a laptop with an email icon on the screen

    Step 3: Your snapshot arrives

    Your personalised snapshot lands in your inbox within one business day, ready to act on.

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Get your free Thrive Check
Photo of Thrive Dog Kitchen founder Hilary Wilkie

Hilary Wilkie | Certified Canine Nutritionist & Coach | Wairarapa, New Zealand

Meet your nutritionist

As a canine nutritionist, I've spent over six years diving deep into the science of how food impacts dogs' health and I'm still learning every day. I've done the studying, the questioning, and the researching so you don't have to.

My mission is simple: to make it easy for dog parents across New Zealand to feel confident and empowered, with clear, evidence-based guidance and absolutely no pressure or judgement.

The work is personal. My Chesapeake Bay Retriever Jessie inspired this journey and the desire to make good nutrition feel accessible to every dog parent is part of her legacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

What's the difference between The Thrive Check and Beyond the Label?

The Thrive Check looks at the big picture — your dog's overall nutrition, lifestyle, and whether things are working. It's broad, free, and a natural starting point. Beyond the Label goes deeper, providing technical analysis of the specific commercial food in your dog's bowl; the label, the numbers, and what they actually mean for your dog. The Thrive Check is where most people start; Beyond the Label is the next step if your dog's food is worth investigating more closely.

Is The Thrive Check really free?

Yes. It's completely free, with no obligation. You answer a few questions about your dog, Hilary personally reviews your answers, and your personalised nutrition snapshot arrives in your inbox within one business day. No credit card, no catch.

How long does The Thrive Check take to complete?

The form takes around two minutes to complete. Your personalised response from Hilary arrives within one business day.

The Thrive Check is for educational purposes only and does not replace veterinary advice. Always speak with your vet about medical concerns.