Britain’s dog-lovers could be slowly killing their pets with kindness by slipping them horrendously unhealthy ‘treats’, a study by Burns Pet Nutrition reveals.
A new poll lifts the lid on dog owners who seemingly think nothing of feeding Fido the very sorts of calorie-laden junk foods that are fuelling Britain’s obesity crisis – in both humans and their four-legged friends.
More than half of UK dogs are believed to be overweight or obese, with a quarter of the owners polled revealing Rover has piled on too many pounds.
Some 43% of Brits let their prized pooch snack on chicken nuggets while 28% give their dog pizza, and 24% admitted they had slipped some chips or a burger under the table.
Almost a third of owners (30%) admitted to feeding junk food to their pets, with more than half (55%) of 18 to 24-year-olds giving chicken nuggets to their furry friend.
Mini Cheddars also appear a popular treat, with nearly two in 10 owners (18%) revealing they let the Doggo loose on a packet of the popular cheese biscuits.
Nearly half (45%) of all respondents admitted they had given their dog cheese to gobble up, while more than a third (34%) handed buttered toast to their canine companion.
While men appear the more responsible owners, with a quarter (25%) feeding junk food to their pet compared to a third (32%) of women, males are more likely to have a fat dog.
Nearly three in 10 (28%) male owners admitted to having an overweight pooch compared to less than two in 10 (19%) women.
Despite chocolate being especially toxic for dogs, more than one in 10 owners (12%) aged 25 to 34 admitted to feeding it to their pet.
Nearly two in 10 owners (18%) admitted they allow their dog to munch on cooked bones, which can choke a pooch if they shatter or snap in their mouth.
Some 13% said they let their pooch drink cow’s milk, which contains lactose that dogs are unable to digest due to lacking a necessary enzyme.
Worse still, a handful of Gen Z dog owners (4%) even admitted giving alcohol and caffeinated drinks to their pet.
And, one third (34%) of owners told pollsters they gave a four-legged friend junk food toxic treats despite being aware of the health risks – even higher in the over 65s category at 44%.
Burns Nutrition Manager Laura Crotch Harvey said: “It’s easy to feel guilty when we see those puppy dog eyes or our dogs are begging for some of our food, dogs are very intelligent, and they know how to push our buttons to try and get what they want.
“Giving dogs even a small amount of human food that is toxic to them could prove fatal. Treats are a great reward for dogs, but be cautious with which ones you choose.”
The poll of 2,022 Brits was conducted by Burns Pet Nutrition to coincide with national Love Your Pet Day on February 20, 2024.
