Pet Treats as fattening as Big Mac: study

By Hallie Jeon

Many pet owners are giving their beloved animals treats that rival the calorie content of fast-foods for humans, a study has found.

When matched by weight, Dreamies cat treats contain 5 percent more calories than a Glazed Ring from Dunkin' Donuts, and Bonio dog treats have 53 more calories than a McDonalds' Big Mac.

The Direct Line Pet Insurance study said calorie content was rarely shown on pet foods, which challenged pet owners to make healthy decisions for their animals.

"If your pet is overweight and you want to reward it for good behavior, there are plenty of healthy alternatives," said BBC Breakfast show veterinarian Marc Abraham.

"For example, dogs love carrot sticks, and both dogs and cats love plain cooked chicken; so why not give those a try instead."