The great British tradition of enjoying an al fresco dinner of dips, meats and supermarket 'picky bits' could be causing millions of dogs unnecessary weight gain and digestive issues, new research has found.
While millions of Brits take to parks and gardens for their dinner during the sunny months, dogs are falling ill thanks to picnic food scraps. These so-called 'treats' are actually causing upset to dogs, according to research from the UK's leading vet-recommended supplement brand YuMOVE, during National Picnic Week (15 - 21 June).
More than half (58%) of UK dog owners give pets extra treats during summer social occasions, the research found, with BBQ and picnic scraps accounting for over half an 8kg dog's daily calorie intake. And seven in ten (73%) of UK dogs experience digestive problems resulting from additional summer snacks.
Calorie Impact of Common Picnic Treats
To help navigate dog owners through the dangers of too many treats, YuMOVE hosted a 'Puppy Picnic' for National Picnic Week to highlight the hidden cumulative calorie impact of common picnic treats, with treats 'sized up' to represent their true calorific size for an average 8kg dog.
One sausage shared with an active 8kg dog like a Jack Russell has the same calorie impact as an 80kg man eating five and a half sausages as a snack. And unlike humans, who might skip a meal later to compensate, most dogs will happily still eat their full dinner - meaning every shared treat stacks up on top of an already complete daily diet.
Calorie-laden treats highlighted in the picnic:
- Pork sausage (60g) - approximately 168 kcal, 36% of daily intake
- Ham, 2 slices (50g) - approximately 82 kcal, 17% of daily intake
- Cheddar cheese chunk (60g) - approximately 240 kcal, 51% of daily intake
- Sausage roll (103g) - approximately 330 kcal, 70% of daily intake
- Mini pork pie (20g) - approximately 279 kcal, 59% of daily intake
Overweight dogs have more health issues, vets warn, including poor mobility and quality of life. This is why YuMOVE's PETSPAN initiative - a science-backed guide that helps dogs live better for longer through 25 easy-to-follow steps - has been launched to help owners make better choices.
YuMOVE's Courtney Miller said: 'Beyond the calorie impact, feeding human food may lead to digestive upset, something we often see reflected in the rise of digestive issues during the summer months, especially after warm spells or bank holiday weekend BBQs. And it's worth reminding owners that certain everyday foods can be toxic to dogs and should not be shared, regardless of quantity - including chocolate, grapes, raisins and onions.'
To help support digestive health year-round, YuMOVE has launched its digestive Pre, Pro & Postbiotic bites for gut health and immunity.
Courtney added: 'A little awareness goes a long way towards keeping dogs happy, healthy and by our sides for longer. And informed choices can be made without taking away the joy of shared moments, so if you really can't resist those puppy eyes, as a rough guide, assume a lightly active dog needs approximately 40 calories per kilogram of bodyweight per day, and a few human foods like carrots and blueberries offer healthy low-calorie snack alternatives that can be given in moderation alongside a balanced and complete diet.'
