One third of pets may be overweight, say vets

Pet obesity figures released by veterinary charity People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) have revealed that more than a third of Britain's pets are overweight, which could lead to health risks that may not be covered by their owners' pet insurance.

Thirty-five per cent of dogs are now classed as being overweight, a 21 per cent rise compared to four years ago. The charity warns that if the trend continues, almost half of the UK's dogs will need to lose weight by 2013.

The Guardian reports that other animals are facing a pet obesity crisis too, including cats and rabbits. Veterinary experts have explained that well-intentioned animal lovers are feeding their pets too many snacks and not giving them enough exercise.

"One small plain biscuit for a 10kg dog is the equivalent of us eating a hamburger or chocolate bar," said Sean Wensley, senior vet with PDSA.

"If you have different family members slipping a bit [of food] here and there, the effects become cumulative."

The vet explained that owners were not necessarily feeding their pets unhealthy food, but that they needed to keep in mind that dogs only require a certain number of calories each day."Once you start exceeding that calorie requirement, these are not burnt off, get converted into fat and stored, and you start seeing health implications," Wensley said.

Adding to the problem is the fact that Britain's dogs do not currently get enough exercise. PDSA vet Elaine Pendlebury told the BBC that breeds such as a border collie may need up to 10 miles of walking each day.

Owners who are concerned about their pets' health can compare pet insurance policies to receive help towards the cost of veterinary treatments for their animals.

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 06:49:00 GMT