New research commissioned by Pedigree has found that 69 per cent of Australian dog owners believe their pets are overweight or obese.
According to the study, over three-quarters (76 per cent) of dog owners admit to giving their pets extra food outside of regular meals at least once a week, and 32 per cent do so daily. Meanwhile, 75 per cent say they do not always follow recommended portion sizes.
The study showed that many owners are unintentionally overfeeding their dogs due to misleading behaviours like begging or feigning hunger.
To help address this issue, Pedigree has developed a new tool, the ‘Lie Detector’ collar, which is currently in trial. The device tracks a dog’s activity levels, rest periods, calorie burn, and food intake, offering owners personalised feeding recommendations through a companion app.
Nathan Williams, renowned Dog Behaviour Specialist, who is supporting the trial, said: “Dogs can be very clever in how they express their ‘wants,’ especially when it comes to food – whether it’s because they’ve developed a habit of begging or simply know they can charm their humans into giving them extra treats.”
The research also revealed:
- 69 per cent of dogs beg for food at least weekly, and 39 per cent do so daily
- 52 per cent of owners admit their dogs trick them into thinking they haven’t been fed
- 25 per cent overfeed due to “puppy-dog eyes”
- 44 per cent reward with extra food for good behaviour
- Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Border Collies, French Bulldogs, and German Shepherds are the breeds most likely to be overweight
Nicola Paroissien, Brand Director at Pedigree, said: “The Lie Detector collar is a fun and interactive way to help pet parents be more mindful of portion control and treat-giving. We hope to bring awareness to the importance of nutrition and balance.”
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