Owners put their dogs health at risk by under exercising
18 September 2006
British dogs are being grossly under-exercised by their owners according to new research from Halifax Pet Insurance.
The survey conducted amongst 1,000 dog owners found that four-in-five (81%) British dogs aren’t receiving the recommended level of exercise for their breed. In fact, most dogs only receive half of the recommended walking-time each week putting their long-term health at serious risk.
Only ‘toy’ dogs, which require very little exercise, such as Lhasa Apsos, and ‘utility’ dogs such as Dalmatians are being adequately exercised. Dogs in all other breed classifications are being given an average of 50% less exercise than the amount recommended for their type.
Despite this only 15% of dog owners think that they under-exercise their dog. 69% believe that they give their animal the correct level of exercise for the breed, 2% even feel they might be guilty of over-exercising their pets. Only one-in-ten (13%) admitted they have no idea of the correct level of exercise recommended for their breed of dog.
In response to the research Halifax Pet Insurance is warning that under-exercised dogs can face long-term health problems – leading to a shorter lifespan and increased veterinary bills. The pet insurer is also urging owners to take more time to research a breed’s requirements before taking a dog home.
The research also reveals that the amount of exercise required and the cost of keeping a breed takes a back seat to what owners consider most important - temperament, size and most worryingly, its appearance.
Vicky Watson, products manager, Halifax Pet Insurance commented: "The research reveals a general lack of education and awareness of exercise requirements of pets amongst dog owners. When choosing a dog an owner should properly research the breed to ensure that they will be able to provide it with the care and attention it needs.
"Responsible pet owners must prioritise considerations such as how much exercise their pet requires and the cost of maintaining a certain breed over the breed’s appearance. Rather than finding out whether a breed is suitable for them, they should really be asking themselves whether they are suitable owners for the breed.”
Halifax Pet Insurance's vet Howard Newitt, MRCVS, commented: “If the trend for under- exercising pets continues we may witness an epidemic of pet obesity in the UK. Under-exercising an animal can lead to serious health complications including diabetes, heart and joint complaints. Not only will these cause suffering for the animal, they will also lead to a rise in veterinary costs for the owner.”
The research was conducted by comparing responses from 1,000 surveyed UK dog owners to the Kennel Club’s breed classifications. To draw an example from the research a Yorkshire Terrier owner admitted to walking their pet just three times per week, for less than fifteen minutes each time. The recommended level of exercise for this breed of dog is 20-40 minutes of exercise every day. The animal is being walked for less than a third of the recommended minimum level of exercise each week.
Pet owners concerned about the appropriate level of exercise for their pet should contact their vet for advice. Prior to purchasing any dog Halifax Pet Insurance would recommend that potential owners read up on relevant literature and visit the Kennel Club website (the-kennel-club.org.uk) to research which breed of dog they are suitable for.
