A recent study reveals that many dog owners are being tricked by their pets into providing extra food, with 76% of owners admitting to giving in to their dogs’ pleas at least once a week, and 32% feeding them more daily. This manipulative behavior, which often includes the irresistible “puppy dog eyes,” leads to overfeeding and potential health issues.
According to dog behavior expert Nathan Williams, dogs have mastered the art of using facial expressions and body language to convey hunger, even when they’ve already had their fill. In fact, 52% of dog owners say their pets deceive them into thinking they haven’t been fed, with 25% admitting their dog pulls this trick every day.
To combat this, Pedigree has developed a new collar designed to help owners track their dog’s eating habits. The collar connects to an app that logs food intake and movement, allowing owners to see how many calories their dog has burned and whether they really need extra food. If the dog hasn’t burned enough calories but still seems hungry, the app will notify the owner, potentially revealing that their pet is “lying” about being hungry.
Williams explains that this technology can help pet owners make more informed feeding choices, ultimately improving the health and well-being of their dogs. Pedigree’s goal is to create a stronger bond between dogs and their owners through better understanding of their nutritional needs, free from manipulation.