Findings from the latest PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report say four out of five veterinary professionals* have seen an increase in pet obesity cases in the last two years.
Obesity is the number one concern among vets when it comes to man’s best friend but worryingly, nearly half of people surveyed are not aware it’s a major issue**. This is a huge concern given that 80% of vets and vet nurses believe there will be more overweight pets than healthy weight pets in five years time and PDSA is stressing the need for urgent action.
Depressingly, over six million dogs*** in the UK exercise outside of the home or garden for only an hour a day or less, contributing to the number of obese pets. Obesity can contribute to pets developing deadly conditions that can cut their lifespan such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, as well as debilitating conditions including arthritis.
To help combat the pet obesity crisis PDSA today launches its annual Pet Fit Club competition and is inviting owners of the UK’s biggest pets to apply for a chance to take part in the fat fighting contest.
Nicola Martin, PDSA Head of Pet Health and Welfare, said: “Over the past decade, Pet Fit Club has transformed the lives of some of the UK’s most obese pets, having helped nearly 100 animals shed over 60 stone so we are welcoming entries again and offering our expertise.”
Early entrants to the competition, which has been helping the nation’s pets to battle the bulge for the past ten years, include a colossal Cocker Spaniel called Millie, who is nearly twice the size she should be; and bulging black cat Boycus, who tips the scales at a whopping 10kg – double the size of your average moggie.
Sadly obesity isn’t confined to just people, cats and dogs as even rabbits and rodents like Spider the rat, who is almost double the size of an average rat, and struggles to squeeze into his sleeping quarters, are piling on the pounds.
Pet Fit Club participants will take part in a tailored diet and exercise programme, overseen by expert vets and nurses over a six month period.
Owners can enter their pets at www.petfitclub.org.uk; the deadline for entries is Sunday, 26 April, 2015.
Nicola Martin added: “PDSA’s research has shown that pet obesity is a growing problem and that too many people are continuing to feed their pets inappropriate foods including takeaways, cake, cheese and chips and sadly many pets aren’t getting enough exercise.
“Pet obesity is entirely preventable and we’re trying to help owners understand that while their pets may beg for food, and giving a treat is seen as a way of showing affection, ultimately it could be killing them with kindness.”
PDSA’s PAW Report, produced in conjunction with YouGov, provides the biggest annual insight into pet health and welfare and has highlighted some of the not-so-sweet home truths about our pets’ unhealthy habits when it comes to diet and exercise.
Pet obesity – The Facts
89% of owners are aware that pets can suffer from obesity-related issues such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis
88% of owners acknowledge that overweight pets will have a shortened life span
Over 5.5 million pets get treats as part of their daily diet
Over 2 million owners give treats because their pets beg for them
In the dog house: Dog owners are significantly more likely than cat and rabbit owners to feed their pets unhealthy treats. And by quite a margin too – 83% of dog owners feed their pets at least one of these unhealthy things, compared to 38% of cat owners.
Dr Philippa Yam, leading animal obesity expert at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, said: “It’s clear that pet obesity continues to be a major issue due to a lack of understanding about pets’ welfare needs. PDSA’s Pet Fit Club competition has successfully raised awareness of this serious, but entirely preventable condition and continues to help many pets year on year.”
Further information about PDSA Pet Fit Club
PDSA Pet Fit Club was launched in 2005 and has already helped 63 dogs, 26 cats and 6 rabbits lose a total 60stone 6lb. This weight loss is the equivalent of 384 bags of sugar, more than 6,700 sausages, 761 tins of dog food or over 500 blocks of lard.
Case studies
Millie
Morbidly obese Cocker Spaniel Millie tips the scales at 33.5kg, making her around twice the size she should be.
Millie’s eyes have always been rather big for her belly and this cheeky girl will steal any food she can get her paws on – even the cat’s food!
She is also an expert beggar, pulling out the puppy dog eyes at every opportunity, and even doing her own ‘happy dance’ when she gets her favourite treats.
After a rather short haircut revealed the extent of Millie’s bulging belly, her owner Jacqueline Maguire (75), from Romford, came to PDSA for help and her podgy pet is now on a strict diet.
Jacqueline said health problems meant it was difficult for her to walk Millie as much as she would like but admitted she was also too soft when it came to treats: “I do give in to her begging far too often. I have four rescue cats and when I feed them she’s hovering around and grabs any food she can. I have to shut her in another room and feed them on the table. Even then, if I turn my back for a moment she’ll be straight in, she’ll steal and eat all the cats’ food given the slightest chance.”
Boycus
Rescue cat Boycus is one of several felines in the Denning household; all the others are a healthy weight, but this black cat has ballooned in the last couple of years and now weighs a whopping 10kg – more than double the size of an average cat.
He has a tendency to eat everything in sight and his owner Sam, from Sutton Coldfield, has tried everything to restrict his access to food to help him lose weight.
Boycus’ vet recently suggested upping the exercise levels, but with a fat, lazy cat, that’s easier said than done! Sam is desperate to help Boycus battle the bulge so has turned to PDSA for help.
Sam said: “We’ve had Boycus since he was a kitten and he’s seven-years-old now. The weight gain has happened in the past two years, despite our efforts.
“We’ve tried everything – we’ve built feeding stations, with cat carriers that are too small for him to try and stop him stealing our other cats’ food. But he always finds a way to break in.”
Spider
Spider, the giant rat from Swansea, is so fat he can no longer cling to the top of his cage as he will break it!
He used to be the smallest rodent in the seven-strong collection of Jan Burton and daughter Eryl. But he has let his appetite get the better of him and now weighs 900g – almost double the size of an average rat.
Spider has been described by his owners as ‘more of a Bloodhound’ for his ability to sniff out food his siblings have stored. And he has developed the taste for corn-on-the-cob.
Eryl said: “We called him Spider because when we first put him in his cage he ran straight to the top and hung in the corner, like a spider would. Now he has just ballooned and gets stuck in his igloo. We think of him as a gentle giant as he’s very placid and is only dominant when it comes to food.”
Daisy – 2014 PDSA Pet Fit Club champ
A formerly bulging Bulldog – who was so lazy she had to be bribed with ham to exercise – was crowned ‘pet slimmer of the year’ after shedding over a quarter of her bodyweight.
Daisy’s passion for extra portions had caused her waistline to expand, along with her preference of hitching a ride over pounding the pavement. She started the competition weighing in at a hefty 28.3kg but with PDSA’s help and owner Gillian Turrell’s determination, she lost around 8kg in weight – meaning that she shed an impressive 27% of her bodyweight.
Gillian said: “The difference in Daisy is amazing. Losing the weight has really improved her mobility. Before she struggled to climb the stairs – now she sprints up them! And she has a waist again! I’m so grateful to the vet staff at Middlesbrough PDSA Pet Hospital for their help and guidance, and for how they’ve helped to transform Daisy’s life. I’d encourage any pet owner worried about their pet’s weight to enter Pet Fit Club.”
Watch the Pet Fit Club launch video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z4BpMgwUww
*PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report 2014. Total sample size was 1,069 pet owners and 572 veterinary professionals. Fieldwork was undertaken between 18 September – 10 October 2014. The survey was carried out online and weighted to be representative of the cat, dog and rabbit owners in the UK.
**Base: 1,000 adults 16+, Britain. Source: Charity Awareness Monitor, Jul 14 & Jan 15, nfpSynergy
*** Figures calculated using estimated UK population; 8.1 million dogs.
