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Half of dogs and cats in the UK are now overweight
Last updated at 10:52am on 20.08.07Obesity is not just a growing health problem among humans, it seems.
Half of dogs and cats in the UK are now overweight, according to the RSPCA.
TV vet Joe Inglis, who has teamed up with the charity to launch a Pets Get Slim website and roadshow tomorrow, said that "action needs to be taken" over pet obesity.
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Half of dogs and cats in Britain are overweight
"Whether your pet is obese or slightly overweight - it matters. A weight problem can affect a pet's quality of life and lead to straining of the joints, causing arthritis, as well as internal illnesses like diabetes, liver disease and heart disease," he said.
"Pet obesity is not an issue to be taken lightly - with so many overweight pets, action needs to be taken today."
He said the website, petsgetslim.co.uk, would give pet owners help and motivation to keep their pets on a diet.
"We know diets are difficult and when you've got a pet begging for treats with pleading eyes, it's really tough," he added.
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'Pet obseity is not an issue to be taken lightly' says TV vet Joe Inglis
On the site, pet owners can upload photos of their pets, share weight loss experiences and be voted "pet slimmer of the week".
At Pets Get Slim roadshows, to be held in Southampton, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham and Manchester this week, visitors can have their animals weighed and discover their pet's ideal weight.
The RSPCA said it hoped through the roadshow to further assess the problem of pet obesity, which can also increase skin problems and the risk of fatty tumours.
The charity said that if you could not easily feel a dog or cat's ribs, it probably meant it was overweight.
A study by the University of Edinburgh earlier this month showed that one in 230 cats in the UK were now diabetic, with overweight cats over three times more likely to suffer from the condition.
Reader views (7)
they are so fat but soooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute. i love the fat dogs and cats
- Phoenix, dectuar u.s
Please stop over feeding your pets. You shorten their life span plus you cause the pet to suffer ~ just as a human does - the extra weight puts too much stress on the heart and other organs.
- Barbara, Bremerton, WA. USA
A staggering 1 in 4 cats in the UK are overweight. 90% of owners are in denial about their pet's weight problems, refusing to believe that they might be overweight. With half the world's population now bordering on obese how can we expect these people to set a good example to their pets? Overfeeding, or feeding the incorrect food to any animal is abuse and these people should be educated to feed appropriate food to their pets.
http://www.thedailymews.com/articles/obesity.htm
- Pauline Dewberry, Kent. England
Did you all not know that you were killing your beloved pet by feeding it too much. Sure they love the stuff but let's get real here people and see the big picture. If youn really love yor petr and and want to eep them around for a while put them on a diet. They will beg anyway whether you stuff them or cut backm on there meals.
- Julie, Milton, WV USA
The same high carb, cereal grain diet that makes cows fat also makes humans and their pets fat. Cows should eat grass, people should eat meat and vegetables, and dogs and cats should eat meat. It's really pretty simple. Why on earth would you fatten up your cat with a dry food made of corn, soy and wheat?
- James Rekas, London, England
One word: PORTION. The cat was getting whatever we felt like putting in his bowl, now he is down from 11 kg to 6.6 kg in 4 year time. Only give him a portioned out amount and that is it. Treats are fine too, just make sure they are part of the daily portion.
- Sylvia, London, England
Maybe more cats should get out and walk. My cats are very fit and slender and walk at least a couple of miles a day.
- Jackie Morris, Wales, St Davids
