Interactive tool launched to tackle dog obesity
The tool provides users with a personalised help sheet for approaching their dog's diet.
A pet food association has launched a new interactive and educational tool, in an effort to tackle obesity in dogs.
UK Pet Food, a group for those in the pet food industry, collaborated on the project with human psychologist Professor Thomas Webb, of the University of Sheffield, in an effort to tackle a rise in dog obesity.
The initiative was implemented in response to a survey conducted by UK Pet Food at London Vet Show 2022, where it was discovered that 50 per cent of dogs were considered overweight or obese by veterinary surgeons. As well as being dangerous to a dog’s wellbeing, obesity in pets can add strain to health resources and result in substantial costs for their owners.
To tackle this, UK Pet Food partnered with Prof Webb to create a tool that would combine behavioural psychology with practical dietary advice so that dog owners could make informed decisions about their pet’s nutrition.
The first part of the tool asks users to complete a quiz titled ‘Who’s in charge when feeding your dog?”. The quiz explores the dynamics of feeding habits, while offering owners insight into their part in their dog’s dietary regimen.
They will then receive a personalised help sheet based on their quiz responses, which addresses situations where their dogs may be overfed or given too many treats.
Based on UK Pet Food’s knowledge of canine diets and Prof Webb’s knowledge of behaviour change, the help sheet aims to identify the triggers that lead to pet owner’s overfeeding and overtreating their dogs.
It will then support respondents with establishing practical strategies for healthy feeding routines, making informed choices when choosing food and promoting a balanced diet for their dog’s nutritional needs.
Sarah Hormozi, head of science and education at UK Pet Food, said: "We are committed to combatting pet obesity and fostering a better understanding of the importance of a healthy diet for dogs.
"Our collaboration with Professor Thomas Webb brings a fresh perspective to the problem, bridging the gap between human psychology and pet nutrition."
The tool is available to use on the UK Pet Food website.
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Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
