Pets at Home is launching a new campaign to tackle overweight in dogs by encouraging additional walking.
Designed to coincide with the clocks changing this weekend, the ‘Five Minutes More’ campaign seeks to encourage UK pet owners to avoid cutting short their dog walks this winter. It comes as new research by the retailer estimates that at least one million dogs in the UK are overweight, with 10% of owners saying they know their dog is overweight (based on a UK population of 10 million dogs).
According to the research, the main factors owners believe are contributing to the problem of weight gain in dogs are overfeeding (59%) and lack of exercise / not walking for long enough (34%), with 29% of dog owners surveyed reducing the amount of time they spend walking their pet during the winter months. Over a fifth (22%) of owners take their dogs on fewer walks during the winter, while 11% use the weather as an excuse to not take their dog for a walk.
Pets at Home has recruited broadcaster and dog lover Clare Balding to launch the ‘Five Minutes More’ campaign, to encourage pet owners across the UK to add five minutes to every dog walk to help them stay as active as possible this winter.
Balding said: “Shorter days and wetter weather may make the daily dog walk less appealing, but no less important. As a dog owner you will do anything and everything to look after their welfare and that includes helping them stay a healthy weight.
“That’s why this winter we are calling on dog owners to get out there come rain or shine to keep their dog active.”
Dr Leigh-Anne Brown, practice owner and veterinary surgeon at Vets for Pets, added: “The problem of overweight dogs in the UK continues to rise. Latest research from our veterinary practices shows in the last 12 months, 30% of dogs seen were classified as overweight and that number could be significantly more, as not all dogs are seen regularly by their vet.
“People may not realise, but if a dog is overweight it can contribute to serious health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and heart problems. However, you cannot underestimate the benefits of the daily walk, it’s the simplest yet most important thing you can do to safeguard your dog’s health.
“It may seem a small thing, but if every dog owner increased their dog walk by just five minutes that will have a huge impact on your dog’s overall activity levels over the course of the winter months.”
Clare Balding will be hosting Pets at Home’s inaugural Winter Walkies event this afternoon (October 27) at Tatton Park in Cheshire.
