Pet experts have issued a warning to dog owners after a new study revealed a third of people are harming their animals with scary treats.
A study by British natural pet food company Barnes Pets Nutrition found that dog owners may not be doing what's best for their dogs.
A third (34%) of pet owners surveyed said they would feed their four-legged friends the same junk food that is fueling Britain's obesity crisis, according to a survey of more than 2,000 people. He says he has no hesitation about giving.
More than half of dogs in the UK are considered overweight or obese, according to a 2021 report from Burgess Pet Care.
And with almost half of pet owners surveyed admitting to feeding their dogs chicken nuggets, experts say one dietary mistake could be fatal for your furry friend. I was warned that it was sexual.
“It's easy to feel guilty when you look into your puppy's eyes or when your dog begs for food,” said Laura Croch-Harvey, nutrition manager at Burns.
“Dogs are very smart and know how to push our buttons to get what they want.
It added: “Feeding even small amounts of human food that is toxic to dogs can be fatal.”
“Treats are a great reward for dogs, but be careful what you choose.”
However, of the 2,022 Britons surveyed, a third were less questionable about what they fed their pets and admitted to snacking on junk food to their dogs.
Meanwhile, 34% told the pollster that they feed their dogs junk food despite knowing the health risks.
This percentage is even higher among dog owners over the age of 65, with 44% saying they feed their furry friends junk food even though they know it's unhealthy.
Even though chocolate is particularly toxic to dogs, 12% of dog owners aged 25 to 34 said they had given their pets sweet treats.
A further 18% said they let their dogs munch on cooked bones, which can pose a choking hazard, especially if the bones break or break the dog's mouth.
Elsewhere, fewer Gen Z dog owners (4%) revealed they give their four-legged friends sips of alcoholic or caffeinated drinks.
Additionally, 13% said they feed their four-legged friends milk even though it contains lactose, which dogs can't digest because they don't have the necessary enzymes.
Interestingly, even though women confessed to feeding their dogs more junk food than men, they were less likely to have overweight dogs.
Nearly three in 10 male owners admitted to having an overweight dog, compared to less than two in 10 female owners.
