Are you giving your dog ‘toxic’ treats? Pet expert issues warning as owners admit to letting their pets snack on junk food – and even giving them chocolate and booze

A pet expert has warned dog owners after a new study found a third are harming their animals with disgusting treats.

The research from British natural pet food manufacturer Burns Pets Nutrition found that dog lovers may not be doing what’s best for their dogs.

A third of pet owners surveyed (34 percent) wouldn’t think twice about feeding their four-legged friends the same junk food fueling Britain’s obesity crisis, a survey of more than 2,000 people has found.

According to a 2021 report from Burgess Pet Care, more than half of British dogs are thought to be overweight or obese.

And with almost half of owners surveyed admitting to feeding their dogs chicken nuggets, an expert has warned that one wrong dietary move could be fatal for your furry friend.

Burns Nutrition Manager Laura Crotch Harvey said: ‘It’s easy to feel guilty when we see those puppy eyes or our dogs begging for some of our food.

‘Dogs are very intelligent and know how to push our buttons to try to get what they want.

She added: ‘Giving even a small amount of human food that is poisonous to them can be fatal.

“Treats are a great reward for dogs, but be careful which ones you choose.”

But of the 2,022 Brits surveyed, a third were not so skeptical about what they fed their pets, admitting to letting their dogs snack on junk food.

Meanwhile, 34 percent told pollsters they fed their puppies junk food despite being aware of the health risks.

This was even higher among dog lovers over the age of 65, with 44 percent stating they knew junk food was unhealthy but still gave it to their furry friend.

Despite chocolate being especially toxic to dogs, 12 percent of owners aged 25 to 34 said they had given the sweet treat to their pet.

Another 18 percent said they let their dog nibble on cooked bones, which can pose a choking hazard, especially if the bone breaks or breaks in a dog’s mouth.

Elsewhere, a handful of Gen Z dog owners (four percent) revealed they let their four-legged friends sip their alcohol and caffeinated drinks.

And 13 percent also indicate that they let their four-legged friend drink cow’s milk, even though it contains lactose that dogs cannot digest because they lack the necessary enzyme.

Interestingly, although women confessed to feeding their dogs more junk food than men, they were less likely to have an overweight dog.

Nearly three in ten male owners admitted to having an overweight dog, compared to less than two in ten women.