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As Britons across the country take a day off their diets to guzzle on novelty chocolate, leading pet care company, Butcher’s Choice, has unveiled a new report revealing that over-pampering our pooches, including slipping your dog a piece of your Easter Egg, could prove fatal. With 20-40% of dogs in the UK already considered obese, the research from Butcher’s Choice highlights that a disturbing 35% of small dogs have suffered human-like health complaints from high cholesterol levels and digestive problems to bad joints and depression.
Further demonstrating that the ‘Paris Hilton effect’ of treating your pint-sized pet like a child or accessory can do far more harm than good, the new research commissioned by Butcher’s Choice, which is specially formulated for small dogs, who can be the most discerning of diners, shows that 79% of small dog owners admit to feeding their dog human food. Furthermore, dog expert and psychologist, Sarah Whitehead, warns owners that giving in to soulful eyes over the Easter period and dropping them a chocolate treat they could end up killing their dog with kindness.
Says Whitehead, “Although we all like to spoil our dogs from time to time, it is essential that you stick to a good quality dog food prepared with small dogs in mind. While chocolate is considered a luxury to us, it could be lethal to your dog as it contains Theobromine – a constituent which can affect the heart and nervous system. But it’s not just chocolate that that could put your dog’s health at risk. Onions, raisins, milk and macadamia nuts to name just a few are dog no no’s.“
The report also warns against ‘The Paris Hilton effect’ of accessorising your pet. Nearly a third of small dog owners questioned by researchers admitted to dressing their pampered pooches in clothing. Yet, whilst a little jacket can prove practical during the height of winter, the report warns that socks, t-shirts, baseball caps and doggles (sunglasses for dogs) are simply fashion accessories which compromise a dog’s movement, temperature control and body language.
As a result, Butcher’s Choice, who is committed to only producing the best quality and naturally nutritious food for small dogs, is asking small dog owners to appreciate that, however small and cute, dogs will be dogs and should be treated accordingly.
Says Alison Cockcroft, Brand Manager at Butcher’s Choice, “This report highlights how important it is for small dog owners to appreciate that, though their dog may be their best friend, they need to treat their pet like a pet and not a person! Many well meant gestures actually cause our pets more harm than good and it is vital to make sure that dogs have a healthy diet and lots of exercise”’
Other findings that came to light through Butcher’s Choice Research are:
• Over a third (38%) of small dog owners do not think twice about sharing their bed with their pooch and that’s not only the single girls
• A quarter of small dog owners admit to feeding their dog from the table, with some owners even laying out a place mat for their little friend
• And when it comes to holidaying, 38% of small dog owners would not think of packing their suitcase without man’s best friend, their most key accessory
To help owners determine the good food from the bad, Sarah Whitehead and Butcher’s Choice, have produced a traffic light system of human foods, here are some foods to say ‘No’ to and ‘Go to’:
Red
Strictly off limits!
• Human chocolate – contains theobromine, a potentially lethal chemical
• Human biscuits – contains sugar and fat, bad for teeth and cause weight gain
• Onions – dried, raw and cooked contain chemicals which can damage blood cells
• Macadamia nuts – may lead to serious illness
• Alcohol – may cause coma and even death
• Coffee grounds, beans & tea – caffeine can affect the heart and nervous system
• Raisins and grapes – contain a toxin which can damage the kidneys in large quantities
• Highly spiced food, such as curry – can affect the digestive system
Amber
An occasional treat!
• Homemade treats for training, such as liver-cake
• Healthy shop-bought dog treats
• Cheese or hot-dog sausage in tiny amounts for training
• Gravy and healthy table scraps – added to your dog’s dinner for a special treat
• Fruit – apples, bananas and pears can all be favourites, but can cause tummy upsets in large amounts
• Cooked rice and pasta
Green
Enjoy!
• Good quality dog food in correct amounts.
• Always check the ingredients in the food you choose, as this tells you exactly what you are feeding. This is key to your dog’s well-being. While some owners choose to feed their dog a home-cooked diet, this needs to be carefully balanced and can be time consuming and complicated. Do your research thoroughly if you intend to follow this route, as deficiencies can be potentially damaging to your dog’s health. However prepared quality pet food is the best way of making sure that you are feeding your dog a healthy and balanced diet. Choose a dog food which uses fresh meat and nothing artificial.
• Fresh veggies – raw or cooked. Dogs are naturally omnivores, and while most would choose steak off the menu without hesitation, many also enjoy extras such as raw carrots. However, beware over-feeding veggies such as cabbage that may cause windy embarrassment!
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