Giving in to puppy eyes? Popular picnic foods that add hundreds of calories to dogs' diets have been identified by new research. The UK is famously a nation of dog lovers, but a study by supplement brand YuMOVE has found that many owners could be inadvertently harming their pets by dishing out too many treats.
Millions of Dogs at Risk
Millions of dogs face unnecessary weight gain and digestive issues due to the great British tradition of al fresco dining. As millions of Brits take to parks and gardens for their meals during sunny months, dogs are falling ill from picnic food scraps. These so-called ‘treats’ are actually causing upset, according to research from YuMOVE, conducted 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. BBQ and picnic scraps account for over half of an 8kg dog’s daily calorie intake. Additionally, seven in ten (73%) of UK dogs experience digestive problems resulting from additional summer snacks.
Hidden Calorie Impact
To help navigate dog owners through the dangers of too many treats, YuMOVE hosted a "Puppy Picnic" for National Picnic Week. The event highlighted 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. 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
- 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
Veterinary Warnings
Overweight dogs have more health issues, vets warn, including poor mobility and quality of life. 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.
Courtney Miller, Chief Veterinary and Innovation Officer at YuMOVE, 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. 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.”
Supporting Digestive Health
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. Informed choices can be made without taking away the joy of shared moments. 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. 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.”
Owners can download the free PETSPAN Blueprint for more guidance.
