3:17pm UK, Tuesday November 23, 2004

A TV commercial showing a guinea pig drinking tomato ketchup has been slammed by the RSPCA.     

As the animal guzzles Heinz Ketchup in its cage where its water bottle would normally be, the heading reads: "You can't eat without it."

180Heinz guineapig advert

The advert criticised by RSPCA

The advert appears during breaks for ITV1's Emmerdale, which Heinz sponsors.    

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said: "Water is an essential part of a guinea pig's diet and we wouldn't recommend replacing it with ketchup.     

"A small amount of ketchup as a treat now and again shouldn't do any harm as long as there is plenty of water available."     

She added that guinea pigs should be fed hay, grass and good quality cereal mix.     

A Heinz spokesman said: "The advert is about exaggerating the fact that all food tastes better with Heinz Tomato Ketchup and in no way is Heinz encouraging families to copy adverts."