Infographic: A Glimpse at Canadian Pet Owners Across Canada

Study shows pet parents who live in the city are more involved

TORONTO, June 28, 2016 /CNW/ - To celebrate Canada Day, Nutram Pet Products, a holistic pet wellness company, today released an infographic based on findings from a recent survey, which outlines the characteristics and activities of Canadian pet parents.

The study reveals that pet parents in larger cities are most likely to experience increased social improvements from owning a pet, as almost 1 in 4 pet parents who live in Toronto and Vancouver claim to have increased self esteem (45 per cent and 37 per cent respectively) and one-third of pet parents who live in Calgary and Edmonton (30 per cent).¹

The survey also proves that pet ownership increases interactions within social groups as pet parents in Toronto claim to spend 23 per cent more time with friends due to being a pet parent versus 10 per cent in Calgary and 13 per cent in Vancouver. Overall, more than 1 in 2 Canadians agree that having a pet allows them to be more social with strangers (52 per cent). Pet parents in Toronto were also the most likely report an increased amount of time spent with family as a result of dog ownership (36 per cent) versus 26 per cent of owners in Vancouver.²

"Interacting with your dog releases the hormone oxytocin, which can have a positive effect on self-perception, happiness, and sociability," said Gillian Ridgeway, Nutram OTC Pet Wellness Expert and Professional Dog Trainer. "With today's hectic lifestyles, especially in busy cities, being an involved pet parent can improve overall lifestyles."

People in the city are much more likely to involve their pets in their daily routines and social activities than people who reside in the suburbs. Almost ninety per cent of pet parents in the city run errands with their pets (89 per cent) versus just over ten per cent of people in the suburbs.³

City parents are also more likely to benefit from giving their dog exercise as 50 per cent of people who live in the city accompany their dog for exercise on sidewalks (52 per cent) and walk to local parks (36 per cent) versus over 50 per cent of people who live in the suburbs who allow their dogs exercise in the backyard (52 per cent) and take them to a park (12 per cent).⁴

Other findings include:

• 33% of people in the city have left the TV or entertainment on for their pet versus only 6% in the suburbs
• 14% of people in the city have carried their pet in a pet purse, carriage, or stroller in city versus 2% in the suburbs
• 35% people in the city have purchased fashion accessories for their pet versus 4% in the suburbs
• 83% of pet parents in the city take pictures of their pet daily versus 17% who live in the suburbs.

To access the infographic visit http://www.nutram.com/uploads/resources/files/attachment-1.jpeg.

The findings are based on a Nutram commissioned study conducted in May 2016 by Research Now, which sought to uncover the differences and similarities of pet parents in cities and towns across Canada.

Nutram Links:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/nutram
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Nutram
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nutrampetproducts/
Online: www.nutram.comhttp://www.nutram.com/

About Nutram

Nutram Pet Products is a 100 per cent Canadian owned and operated, privately held company with more than 30 years of pet food manufacturing experience. Located in Elmira, Ontario, Nutram produces super premium dry dog and cat food that can be found in over 25 countries worldwide. Nutram was first developed in 1993 and was re-introduced to the North American pet industry and to consumers in 2015. With an extensive history and list of product innovations in the pet food industry, Nutram truly is Canada's Pet Food Experts! Learn more at www.nutram.com.

^{________________________________________
1} Research Now. Nutram Pet Products, Dog Owners. 2016.
² Research Now. Nutram Pet Products, Dog Owners. 2016.
³ Research Now. Nutram Pet Products, Dog Owners. 2016.
⁴ Research Now. Nutram Pet Products, Dog Owners. 2016.

To learn more about Nutram visit, www.nutram.com/media.

SOURCE Nutram Pet Products

Image with caption: "Canadian Pet Parents - Urban vs Rural (CNW Group/Nutram Pet Products)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160628_C8245_PHOTO_EN_723554.jpg

Image with caption: "Nutram Pet Products (CNW Group/Nutram Pet Products)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160628_C8245_PHOTO_EN_723555.jpg

For additional information about this study, contact: Charlene D'Aoust, PR Manager, 88 Creative, O: 416-944-2722, M: 647-920-0836, [email protected]