Pet owners 'should stop feeding their animals treats'

By Marianne Straker, Thu 28 Aug 2008 - Published in Pet Insurance

If dog owners want to avoid making a claim on their pet insurance they should stop feeding their animals treats, the former president of the British Veterinary Association claims.

John Bower recommended that owners take a small handful of their dog's normal food and use that as a treat throughout the day instead.

He said: "The dog would appreciate that just as much as they would a bar of chocolate."

Mr Bower also stated it was important to feed dogs good quality food made specifically for the animal's size, activity levels and age group.

Research by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals has revealed a ten per cent increase in the number of overweight pets in the UK over the past year.

It also found three-quarters of pet owners admitted to giving their animals treats at least once a day.

Some fifty-seven per cent of those questioned said they felt their pets deserved treats because they were "one of the family".

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