How Covid-19 Has Affected Our Dogs
Has Fido gotten fluffier?!
It's no secret that the Covid-19 pandemic changed our daily lives in more ways than one. But what about our dogs? We teamed up with our friends at Pumpkin Pet Insurance to talk to dog owners across the country and get the scoop on our pups during this pandemic:
According to our survey, we found that during the past year:
- 36% reported their adult dogs gained weight since March 2020.
- 52% admit to feeding Fido extra treats while they’ve been home.
- 42% confess to sharing table food, even though they know they shouldn’t.
As for dog owners themselves, 56% say their dog’s weight gain correlates with their own. For owners who upped their exercise, 66% reported an increase in their pup’s activity, and likewise, less human activity led to a 33% decrease in their pup’s exercise.
But on the bright side, 36% of pet parents who spent more time at home reported an increase in their pooch’s daily step count. Our database of hundreds of thousands of Fi dogs showed a consistent average increase of ~1,300 more steps per day starting in March 2020 and holding steady since then! Way to go, pups!
So, what should dog owners take away from all this?
“I can't emphasize enough the importance of keeping table scraps away from the dog,” says Dr. Ryan Gates, Veterinarian at Cuyahoga Falls Veterinary Hospital. “We think we're showing pups the extra love they deserve, but in the long run, spoiling them with more treats or letting them finish our meals can actually harm our beloved dogs. The effects of significant weight gain can lead to numerous health problems, like arthritis, high blood pressure, and heart disease, ultimately shortening their life expectancy.”
In short, keep reaching those steps goals.... but maybe not for the cookie jar.