Abstract：
Treats are commonly fed by most dog caregivers and can constitute a significant proportion of a dog\'s diet, potentially contributing to obesity. Feeding aspects related to treats specifically, remain underexplored. An e-survey was voluntarily completed by 716 dog caregivers predominantly from Canada and the USA to identify and describe caregivers\' perceptions, motivations, and behaviours surrounding treats, and factors that influence decisions about feeding treats. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze (1) measurement methods associated with monitoring treat intake, and (2) frequency of feeding different types of treats with perceiving dog as overweight/obese. Most caregivers considered the term \'treat\' in a nutritional context, but respondents expressed mixed perceptions of how they consider treats in relation to their dog\'s primary diet. Alongside training and sports activities, aspects relating to the human-animal bond were highly reported to influence decisions surrounding treats. Most respondents were motivated to provide treats because it makes their pet happy, and to strengthen the bond with their dog, and nearly 40% of caregivers frequently feed treats to show love to their dog. Human food and table scraps were frequently fed by 30-40% of caregivers and feeding human food weekly was predictive of caregivers perceiving their dog to be overweight/obese (OR=2.24, p = 0.007). Caregivers estimated treats to account for a median of 15% of their dog\'s total diet, based on estimated quantity. Caregivers who reported using a measuring cup/scoop to measure their dog\'s treats were more likely to monitor their dog\'s treat intake (OR=3.38, p = 0.002). Most caregivers monitor their dog\'s body condition (60%) or consider their dog\'s recent activity level (43%) to decide on the amount of treats to feed; only 22% of caregivers reported veterinary advice to support their decisions on the amount of treats to feed. Findings from this research offer new insights to dog caregiver feeding habits and their perceptions of treats in relation to the canine diet. These results can be used to inform veterinary counselling strategies and caregiver education initiatives to promote animal health and well-being.
摘要：
零食通常由大多数狗看护者喂养，并且可以构成狗饮食的很大一部分，可能导致肥胖。特别是与治疗相关的喂养方面，保持未充分开发。电子调查由716名主要来自加拿大和美国的狗照顾者自愿完成，以识别和描述照顾者的看法，动机,以及围绕零食的行为，以及影响喂食决定的因素。调查答复采用描述性统计分析，卡方检验,Kruskal-Wallis单向方差分析,和Wilcoxon符号等级测试.进行了多变量逻辑回归分析，以分析（1）与监测治疗摄入量相关的测量方法，和（2）喂养不同类型的对待与感知狗超重/肥胖的频率。大多数护理人员认为“治疗”一词是在营养方面，但受访者表达了不同的看法，他们认为如何对待他们的狗的主要饮食。除了训练和体育活动，与人-动物结合有关的方面被高度报道影响围绕治疗的决定。大多数受访者都有动力提供零食，因为这会让他们的宠物快乐，并加强与狗的联系，近40％的看护人经常喂食零食来向他们的狗表示爱。30-40％的护理人员经常喂食人类食物和餐桌残渣，每周喂食人类食物可以预测护理人员认为他们的狗超重/肥胖（OR=2.24，p=0.007）。看护者估计治疗占他们的狗的总饮食的15%的中位数，根据估计的数量。报告使用量杯/勺测量狗的治疗的看护者更有可能监测狗的治疗摄入量（OR=3.38，p=0.002）。大多数护理人员监测他们的狗的身体状况（60％）或考虑他们的狗最近的活动水平（43％）来决定喂食的数量;只有22％的护理人员报告了兽医建议，以支持他们的决定。这项研究的结果为狗照顾者的喂养习惯及其对与犬饮食有关的治疗的看法提供了新的见解。这些结果可用于告知兽医咨询策略和护理人员教育计划，以促进动物健康和福祉。
