34% of dog owners offer their canine companions junk food contributing to Britain’s pet obesity crisis
A warning alert has been sounded for dog owners as a recent study conducted by Burns Pets Nutrition, a British natural pet food maker, exposes a worrying trend of owners giving harmful food to their pets, Daily Mail reported.
Shockingly, a third of surveyed pet owners, as the research revealed, are unwittingly putting their dogs’ well-being at risk with unhealthy indulgences.
The survey of more than 2,000 individuals revealed that 34 percent of pet owners carelessly offer their canine companions the same junk food that is contributing to Britain’s obesity crisis. A staggering 50 per cent of UK dogs are reported to be overweight or obese, according to a 2021 report from Burgess Pet Care.
Worryingly, almost half of the owners polled admitted to feeding their dogs items such as chicken nuggets, with one expert warning that a single wrong food choice could be fatal for their furry friends. this. Burns Nutrition Manager, Laura Crotch Harvey, emphasized the potential dangers, stating, “Giving dogs even a small amount of human food that is toxic to them can be fatal.”
The study further revealed that 34 percent of respondents were aware of the health risks associated with feeding junk food to dogs, but continued to do so.
Interestingly, although women admit to giving their dogs more junk food than men, they are more likely to have overweight dogs, with nearly three in 10 male owners who admit to having pudgy pooches compared to less than two in 10 women.
The concerning trends extend across different age groups, including 12 percent of owners ages 25 to 34 admitting to giving chocolate, a known dog poison, to their pets .
Additionally, a worrying four percent of Gen Z dog owners admit to allowing their dogs to sip alcohol and caffeinated beverages, posing potential health risks to those this loyal companion.
