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New Hartz® Survey Finds That Americans Walk the Family Dog as a Way to Help Stay Fit
Nearly Two-Thirds of Dog Owners Exercise with Their Pets
SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY (May 2, 2006) - In honor of National Pet Month (May), Hartz® has just released the results of the company’s latest national survey of pet owners. It turns out, many dog-lovers are exercising with their pets, which is good news considering the fact that half of all Americans are overweight and many American dogs are also packing on the excess pounds. More than half of the dog owners surveyed (52%) reported they take their pet with them when they exercise.
With increasing numbers of American adults and children fighting the battle of the bulge, walking the family dog is turning out to be a painless and effective way to exercise. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of dog owners view those early morning and late night jaunts as a great way to exercise. Interestingly, about three-quarters (76 percent) of the respondents who own dogs cited their pet’s need for exercise as the main reason for walking their dog.
The nationwide survey of 2,748 U.S. adults, of whom 1,729 own a pet, was conducted by Harris Interactive® on behalf of Hartz®, the leading manufacturer and marketer of pet supply products in the U.S. Hartz® offers a wide variety of innovative toys, chews, food, treats and other products, for the well-being, care and enjoyment of most household pets.
Marty Becker, D.V.M, a veterinary contributor to Good Morning America and pet columnist for Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service, in his new book Fitness Unleashed, co-authored with Robert Kushner, M.D., (Three Rivers Press, 2006), states, "The trend toward weight gain in dogs comes directly on the heels of the same tendency among people. According to recent studies, 40 percent of pet dogs are overweight or obese. That’s close to thirty million dogs."
In addition to getting out and exercising with their pets, the survey found that the majority of American pet owners (67 percent) say they take equally good care of their own health and their pet’s. This interest in exercising with pets and focus on health may ultimately help to reverse the trend toward the increasingly sedentary lifestyle of people and pets. "We’re glad to see by the results of our latest survey that in addition to being a wonderful, loving companion, a pet can be part of a fitness regimen that benefits the pet as well as the owner," said Hartz Corporate Vice President - Sales & Marketing, Paul Kuny. "Hartz offers a wide variety of innovative toys that can add to the fun and enhance the well-being of pets and their owners."
Survey Results
Popularity of pets
According to the national Hartz® survey of pet owners, the majority of adults own pets
- Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of U.S. adults own a pet
- The majority of pet owners own a dog (61 percent)
- Just over half of pet owners own a cat (54 percent)
- Two out of five pet owners own a fish (20 percent)
Exercising with pets
According to the survey, American dog owners are exercising with their pets
- 76 percent say the main reason they walk their dog(s) is to give their dog exercise
- 64 percent say the main reason they walk their dog(s) is to give themselves exercise
- 52 percent of dog owners have taken their pet with them exercising
Pets really are our best friends
According to the survey, pets develop strong bonds with their owners and often influence their owner’s plans and lifestyle choices
- Nearly one in ten pet owners (9 percent) have actually changed plans with someone in order to spend time with their pet instead
- 13 percent have gone to a specific vacation site because it was pet friendly
- Nearly one in ten pet owners (9 percent) had a significant other express jealously over their relationship with a pet
Pride in pets
According to the survey, pet owners dote on their pets
- 62 percent of pet owners have bragged about their pet
- 65 percent of pet owners have spoiled their pet
- A majority (67 percent) of pet owners have bought a present for their pet
- Nearly one in ten pet owners (8 percent) have planned an event for their pet (e.g. birthday party)
About The Hartz Mountain Corporation
The Hartz Mountain Corporation is the leading manufacturer and marketer of pet care products in the United States and Canada. For 80 years Hartz® has provided pet owners with the highest quality products - innovative solutions developed with proven science and love for companion animals. The company offers more than 1500 products for dogs, cats, birds, small animals, reptiles and fish, each dedicated to the health and well-being of household pets. The Hartz Mountain Corporation is owned by Sumitomo Corporation of America (SCOA), together with its parent, Sumitomo Corporation, Japan (SC), an integrated global trading company. For more information please visit www.hartz.com.
About Harris Interactive®
Harris Interactive Inc. (www.harrisinteractive.com), based in Rochester, New York, is the 13th largest and the fastest-growing market research firm in the world, most widely known for The Harris Poll® and for its pioneering leadership in the online market research industry. Long recognized by its clients for delivering insights that enable confident business decisions, the Company blends the science of innovative research with the art of strategic consulting to deliver knowledge that leads to measurable and enduring value.
Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe (www.harrisinteractive.com/europe) and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in Paris, France (www.novatris.com), and through an independent global network of affiliate market research companies.
Survey Methodology
Harris Interactive® conducted the study on behalf of The Hartz Mountain Corporation via its QuickQuery online omnibusSM between March 28 and 30, 2006 among a nationwide sample of 2,748 U.S. adults aged 18 and over, of whom 1,729 own a pet(s) and 1,019 own a dog(s). Data were weighted to be representative of the total U.S. adult population on the basis of region, age within gender, education, household income, and race/ethnicity. Propensity score weighting was also used for respondents’ propensity to be online.
With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With a pure probability sample of 2,748 women one could say with a 95 percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points. However, that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
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