Total Dog Magazine

Tag: Direct Line Pet Insurance research

  • Almost Half of Dog Owners Change Walking Route to Stop Dog Boredom

    Almost Half of Dog Owners Change Walking Route to Stop Dog Boredom

    New research out today from Direct Line Pet Insurance revealed that almost half of dog owners change their route to stop their dogs from getting bored, while over a third of dog owners change the route because they personally like the variety.

    The new research was released at the launch of the pet insurers new ‘Walkies’ app which is available on the Apple app store here. The GPS-enabled app has been created especially for dog owners, enabling them to record and share their favourite walking routes online and via social media channels, monitor calories burned and average speeds, so it bodes well for the app’s success that of those who took part in the research, more than half of dog owners would use a smartphone app to help them discover new walks or to monitor / track their walks.

    Here are some friends of K9 Magazine taking in the sights on their favourite walks.

    1. Meet Ash!

    Ash - Photo by Caroline Hewison

    Photo Credit: Caroline Hewison

    2. Meet Sparkle, having fun at the beach!

    Dog on beach - Photo by Greg Murray

    Photo Credit: Greg Murray

    3. Meet Alf, Ruby and Mouse alongside two pals in ‘Five Dogs Go Mad on Beinn Eighe’.

    Video Credit: Fran Lockhart

    4. Meet Harry!

    Harry - Photo by Pat Morris

    Photo Credit: Mrs Pat Morris

    5. Meet Willow!

    Willow - Photo from Teoma Cardigan Corgis

    Photo Credit: Teoma Cardigan Corgis

    6. Meet Poppy!

    Poppy - Photo by Wendy Whittaker

    Photo Credit: Wendy Whittaker

    7. Meet the dog walking crew!

    Photo Credit: Kay Attwood

    8. Meet River and Ash

    Photo Credit: Clive Turrell

    9. Meet Bella & Murphy!

    Photo Credit:Penny Wood

    10. Meet Gary and his stick!

    Photo Credit: Linda Banders

     

    Share your dog’s favourite walks with us by commenting below – K9 Magazine is launching a new dog walking series this Summer and we’d love to have your input on where you think are the UK’s most pet friendly places to visit!

  • New Research Claims British Dog Owners Could Be Killing Pets With Kindness

    New research published by Direct Line Pet Insurance reveals even our dogs now gorge on junk food, giving rise to fears of a pet obesity epidemic.

    The research shows that millions of dogs are scoffing human treats on a regular basis, with a third (33 per cent) of pet owners admitting to feeding their four-legged friend snacks like crisps and chocolate, most of which are unhealthy and some potentially toxic.

    Over 1.3 million dogs (15 per cent) have been fed crisps and almost as many (1.1 million) have enjoyed pizza. Dogs are even being fed takeaways, with over a third of a million animals tucking into deep fried chicken from KFC (4 per cent) and the same number being fed food from McDonald’s. In fact, over 2.3 million (27 per cent) owners feed their dog human food instead of pet food.

    Edward Barclay, head of pet insurance at Direct Line, commented: “Fast food takeaways can be extremely dangerous for dogs, who love to rummage through leftover containers in search of a tasty morsel. Direct Line’s own veterinary nurses have seen cases of dogs that have needed urgent medical attention after digesting fried chicken bones, or even whole corn on the cobs, which have resulted in severe digestive problems.”

    Disturbingly the research also shows six per cent of dog owners have given their pet alcohol. Pet owners are gambling with the health of their animals, as ingesting even small amounts can result in life-threatening toxicity for dogs.

    According to the study, half (50 per cent) of pet owners that smoke do so in the same room as their dog and a quarter (25 per cent) expose their pet to the second hand fumes of more than six cigarettes a day. Pet owners that smoke are allowing their dogs to inhale worrying doses of harmful chemicals, with 13 per cent consuming over 16 cigarettes a day with their pet shut in the same enclosed environment.

    Edward Barclay continued: “Unfortunately, some dog owners are literally killing their pets with kindness. What is a tasty treat for humans can cause fatal reactions in dogs, or contribute to long term health problems. While Timmy in the Famous Five might have licked the plates clean, vets recommend against feeding leftovers such as pizza slices and chips.

    “The anatomy of dogs means they are extremely sensitive to smoke and there is the additional risk of nicotine poisoning if they chew butts or cigarette packets left lying around. Likewise, owners should be careful leaving electronic cigarettes on tables or in the plug, charging. We always want to be around our furry companions but if you’re smoking, it’s better to step outside. Responsible pet owners should recognise the importance of providing a healthy diet and environment for their animals as well as having sufficient pet insurance cover, or funds available, in case their dog needs treatment.”