Survey leads to canine health focus

Concerns have been raised after a survey found that 40 per cent on UK owners feed harmful food to their dogs.

The survey's report, Paws for Thought, showed that owners regularly feed their dogs chocolate, sausages and grapes, and 12 per cent of owners feed their dog leftovers.

Over 1000 dog owners completed the online survey by Pedigree, and of that number, only 12 per cent thought their pet had a weight problem, whereas national statistics show that 40 per cent of dogs are overweight.

To highlight the report's findings, Pedigree has launched an online health checker, reduced its recommended calorie intake for dogs by 15 per cent, and launched Wet Nose Week, in order to publicise dog's four universal needs - oral health, optimum digestion, healthy skin and a robust immune system.

Jo Gale, scientist at the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, said: "It is not surprising so many owners give in to their dogs and feed them tidbits from their own plates, but it is really important to remember a dog's dietary needs are very different to those of a human."