Survey reveals one in four UK pets is on a diet.
One in four* UK pets is on a diet, according to survey results released this week by Rosewood Pet Products.
With excess treats and too-short walks fuelling a pet obesity time bomb warning**, Rosewood surveyed the UK’s pet owners to understand just how health-conscious we really are when it comes to our pets.
Out of those surveyed, 25% of pet owners admitted to putting their pets on ‘diets’, due to concerns over obesity, by eliminating table scraps from their pets’ diets and swapping fatty treats for healthier options.
Dog owners were revealed as the most likely to treat their pets, with 36% admitting to treating their dogs three or more times per day, compared to 19% of cat owners. When asked about their shopping habits, 78% of all pet owners admitted to always having a fully stocked treats cupboard for their pets.
The top reasons provided by pet owners for treating their pets was to encourage or reward good behaviour, for training purposes and to prevent boredom.
The results also showed that 65% of pet owners are taking heed of the pet obesity warnings by actively seeking out treats that include healthy ingredients - such as added vitamins and supplements, high meat or fish content and vegetables.
Bev Panter, Rosewood Pet Products Marketing Director, commented: “It’s encouraging to see that pet parents are actively seeking out healthy treats for their pets, especially given the recent warnings surrounding pet obesity.
“It’s also important to remember that treats are not a replacement for meals and should be given as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Plus dogs, and other house pets, will need adequate exercise each day to ensure that they burn off any extra calories consumed through these additional tasty snacks.”
*Survey of 1,592 UK pet owners by Rosewood Pet Products, March 2017
**Figures released by leading pet charity PDSA, February 2017
ENDS
Media Contacts: Please contact Jaselyn Melling at Truth PR jaselyn@truth-pr.co.uk or Sophie Flint sophie@truth-pr.co.uk, 0161 238 9820.
Notes to Editors
Founded over 55 years ago, Rosewood Pet Products design, source, produce and distribute products, food and accessories for pets and wild birds. Based in Shropshire, its products are sold throughout the world, primarily in pet shops and other specialty stores. It also supplies ranges for a number of major retailers, online retailers and grocery stores.
Environmentally and ethically conscious, Rosewood’s commitment to providing quality and value to ‘Pet Parents’ of dogs, cats, small furry animals, pet birds, wild birds and aquatics, has given it a reputation for excellence. With a genuine love of animals and concern for their health and happiness, the company attributes much of its success to customer service, product innovation and true passion.
For more information, please visit rosewoodpet.com contact Rosewood on 01952 883408 / enquiries@rosewoodpet.com or follow @rosewoodpet for the latest news and updates.
