More than three quarters of British pet owners allowed their pets to overindulge over Christmas, according to a new survey by pet food brand Edgard & Cooper.
The poll of 2,000 UK dog owners also found that 73% fed their pet a Christmas dinner, but only 27% of owners are looking to restrict their dog’s diet after the holiday period ended.
The company has launched a campaign to encourage owners to start their pets on a flexitarian diet during the new year period to help offset the seasonal overindulgence, as part of its ongoing drive to make pet food labelling clearer for owners to understand.
Edgard & Cooper is working with Ella Mills, health advocate and founder of Deliciously Ella, to raise awareness of the benefits of a flexitarian diet to combat weight gain in dogs.
She said: “Most of us know that a plant-based approach for humans is incredibly powerful, with vegans in the UK having half the carbon footprint of carnivores, but there’s still a real stigma around a flexitarian approach for dogs.
“I’ve certainly noticed a nervousness around a plant rich approach for dogs, but the science is clear, it can be a very healthy diet that has a very positive impact on our planet.”
