Dinner table titbits are fuelling pet obesity with dogs in Cornwall getting through 54,000 calories in extra treats every year, according to research from pet food manufacturer Royal Canin.

To celebrate the launch of its new Canine Care Nutrition range, Royal Canin analysed the feeding habits of 2000 dog owners. The research found that the extra calories an average dog in Cornwall is being fed in titbits adds up to a staggering 54,000 calories a year. If a medium dog was to overeat at this rate it would be the equivalent of a human eating 340 cheese burgers, 1310 chocolate chip cookies, or 360 ice creams every year, in addition to their regular meals. Small dogs are worse off still, with their yearly overeating equating to 1362 hash browns, 1065 sugar doughnuts, or 717 slices of pizza in human food terms.

Cocker Spaniels are the breed most likely to be fed from their owner’s plate at meal times with almost three quarters of Golden Retrievers having eaten an entire Sunday Roast in the past six months.

One in five dog owners admitted they believe giving their dog extra treats shows them that they love them and that they are one of the family, with chicken (77%), beef (68%), sausages (67%), ham (63%) and vegetables (57%) listed as the most commonly fed foods.