Over 25% of pet owners admit to overfeeding during the Christmas break and one in five owners believe their pet takes care of its own exercise. 78% think their animal is the correct weight but in reality, according to Pet Psychologist, Roger Tabor, "most pets are carrying excessive weight and it will affect their health in the long run."
In Edinburgh, 32% of owners give their pets the greatest amount of left overs from the table, with owners in Norwich arguably the keenest to give their pet treats, with just over 37% of cats and dogs receiving them over Christmas and one in ten owners in the UK saving a little of what they are eating for their pets.
61% of pet owners in Glasgow are more likely to buy pet food according to its nutritional content, while 40% of pet owners in Cardiff are more likely to buy pet food according to price.
When it comes to keeping fit, some 30% of pet owners in Plymouth have the most regimented exercise regime for their pets, with 28% of pets in Edinburgh, although getting the most leftovers, are more likely to be given at least two exercise sessions a day.
The national survey, commissioned on behalf of Aldi who produce the Vitacat, Julius and Earl’s ranges for cats and dogs respectively, revealed that 78% of pet owners in the UK believe that their pet is the ideal weight, with just 11% asking their vet directly for advice on the best way to feed their pet. One in ten people, aged between 16-24 believe their pet is overweight, but when questioned, didn’t see this as a problem.
In order to meet the nutritional requirements of today’s less active pets, Aldi offers Julius, Earl’s and Vitacat ranges, which aim to provide cats and dogs with a healthy, balanced diet. The average price for a product also gives pet owners an average 30% saving.
Perhaps not surprisingly, Aldi’s survey revealed that the percentage of people who believe their pet is at their ideal weight increases in direct proportion to the amount of exercise that their owner does, with almost 75% of people who do no exercise believing that their pet is the perfect weight, compared to 86% of owners who exercise 11+ hours per week.
Comments leading Pet Psychologist, Roger Tabor: “Like their owners, cats and dogs have very specific nutritional needs and require on a daily basis the right amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water. Depending on their life stage, activity level and health condition, the importance of the combination of these nutrients in their diet changes.
“It's not just humans who are getting fatter, there's an obesity crisis looming for Britain's pets too. With worrying statistics from some of Britain's most respected animal welfare authorities, such as the British Veterinary Association, indicating that our cats and dogs are now among the fattest and laziest pets in Europe, taking the least daily exercise and eating the most.”
Leading animal welfare charity the RSPCA recently launched a campaign entitled ‘Cut Out The Stuffing’ which, using the YouTube hit, ‘Simon’s Cat’ looks at the serious problem of pet obesity, claiming that one in three cats and dogs are overweight, which can lead to health problems in later life including diabetes, arthritis or in worst cases, organ failure.
Almost 20% of owners in Glasgow are planning to put their pets on diets in 2009.
“By encouraging our pets to take more exercise on a daily basis and feeding them a nutritionally balanced diet will help improve their health and long-term well being,” adds Roger Tabor.
There’s nothing quite like the sight of a sleeping cat, enjoying his moment of relaxation after a hard day’s mousing.
