ROYAL CANIN Reveals Alarming Trend: 91.7% of Pet Parents Feed Human Food
Today’s pet parents go the extra mile to ensure their furry friends live happy, healthy lives. However, there’s one aspect they tend to struggle with—nutrition for their pets to stay healthy. Leading pet food brand ROYAL CANIN, a leader in ‘Health through Nutrition’ for cats and dogs, recently surveyed 2000 dog and cat parents aged 18 and above across 84 cities in India, uncovering significant insights into pet feeding habits and their implications for pet health.
Here are some of the survey’s key findings.
ROYAL CANIN survey revealed that an overwhelming 91.7% of pet parents feed their pets human food, with 32.3% doing so occasionally and a mere 4.6% stating they would never consider it. Among the types of human food shared, 66.5% of respondents reported giving cooked meals, followed by eggs (53.71%), fish (52.8%), raw meat (50.9%), vegetables (44%), and leftovers (20.3%).
The survey also explored factors contributing to pet obesity, a growing concern among Indian pet parents. Overfeeding was cited by 32% as the leading cause, poor quality pet food (18.9%), and feeding human food (13.1%). Additionally, barriers to maintaining a healthy pet weight included a lack of understanding of what constitutes a healthy weight (33.9%), insufficient exercise (33.6%), the high cost of quality pet food (29.55%), time constraints (23.35%), and misinformation (22.5%).
The Pan-India survey revealed that more than half (54.7%) of pet parents primarily seek information or advice on nutrition, health, weight, and obesity in pets from professionals, including vets, vet nurses, and nutritionists. In comparison, 34% of pet parents turn to online content and websites for guidance. Interestingly, about 23.5% of pet parents rely on social media platforms like Instagram to gather information regarding their pets’ nutrition and healthy weight.
Mr. Satinder Singh, General Manager of Royal Canin, India, commented, “Our comprehensive survey highlights a deep bond between Indian pet parents and their pets, often expressed through sharing human food. However, this practice, while well-intentioned, can contribute to health issues like obesity if not balanced with proper nutrition. Choosing scientifically formulated pet food ensures pets receive the precise nutrients they need as per their life stages, size, breed, lifestyle, and sensitivities for long-term health. At Royal Canin, we are deeply committed to the concept of ‘Health through Nutrition’, ensuring each pet receives a scientifically tailored complete and balanced diet for a better quality of life.”