Cuddles, weekend walks and healthy diet top priorities for pet owners
At the onset of the new year, IAMS asked the nation’s pet parents to make a Pet Pledge to enjoy a happier, healthier and more ‘paws-itive’ 2018 with their beloved companion.
Top notch nutrition was the number one pledge, with 55 percent of cat owners and 46 percent dog owners promising a better diet for their pet. This was followed by exercise and activity, with a fifth promising more walkies for their dog and one third of cat owners committing to more playtime.
Spending quality time together was also ranked as a top priority – from giving more cuddles and ensuring pets have a warm, comfy bed to daily teeth brushing and providing regular flea treatment.
The results highlight that spending more quality time together is a top priority for UK pet owners. In fact, 31 percent pledged to treat their beloved pet to more cuddles, while 22 percent promised to treat their dog to more weekend walkies. Some even promised to take their pet on more family holidays.
Weight can be a serious concern for many pet owners, with an estimated 49 percent of dogs and 44 percent of cats in the UK considered overweight or obese by vets.
According to the pledges received, the most popular resolution for British pet parents is to provide our four-legged friends with a healthy diet, with 55 percent of cat and 46 percent of dog owners making a promise to feed their pet with a 100 percent complete and balanced nutrition.
IAMS nutritional expert and veterinary training manager, Kellie Ceccarelli said, “The initial results of the IAMS Pet Pledge campaign highlight that the UK really is a nation of pet lovers. Taking care of a pet can bring us so much joy, and as a pet parent myself I understand how difficult it can be to say no to puppy-dog eyes – especially when it comes to feeding them with human treats and titbits.
“However, to ensure our pets are truly happy, it’s important for us to spend quality time together and provide them with a 100% complete and balanced nutrition, so that our pets can enjoy a happy, healthy and active life. We hope that the new year pledges made by UK pet parents will become a life long commitment to improving their pets’ health – whether it’s through high quality nutrition, play, plenty of cuddle time and of course, adventurous muddy walks.”