The overweight finalists, comprising 10 ‘huge hounds’, four ‘mega moggies’, and  three rotund rabbits, have been put on a strict six-month diet and exercise plan by PDSA vets and nurses to help them slim down to a healthier weight, and improve both their life expectancy and quality of life.

Sadly, UK pet obesity levels are at a worryingly high level. In fact, around 2.5 million dogs (one in three) and over 2 million cats (one in four) are currently estimated to be overweight. Not only could their lives be cut short, many will also have a drastically reduced quality of life.

According to the charity, more than 10 million pets are getting fatty treats, due to owners sharing their own unhealthy eating habits in a well-intentioned but misguided attempt to make them happy.

Exclusive PDSA research shows that around nine out of 10 owners (87%) give pets treats, despite the fact that 91% realise the resulting obesity can reduce their pet’s lifespan. PDSA’s PAW Report, produced in conjunction with YouGov, provides the biggest annual insight into pet health and welfare and has discovered that a wide range of inappropriate treats are being fed to pets. These include fast food, leftovers, crisps, biscuits, chocolate and chips. 

Meet the overweight dogs

Alfie, 109% overweight - This not-so-Miniature Pinscher weighs double what he should! His owner, Joanne, from Bradford, admits that she has spoilt him rotten with treats like pigs ears and meaty twists, but she’s learned her lesson now and feels terribly guilty that Alfie now struggles with stairs and can’t jump. She’s desperate to help him get his life back, and entered him into Pet Fit Club when she saw the amazing transformation Ruby, last year’s winner, had made.

Bruce, 60% overweight - Heavyweight Bruce has always been a big boy and used to enjoy weetabix with goats milk and honey for breakfast! He hates exercise and plods so slowly around the field he’s practically going backwards! His owners are now determined to help him reach a healthier weight to improve his quality of life.

Zed, 114% overweight - Big Border Collie Zed (11) is a dog with a sweet tooth and that’s caused him a massive problem. Until the end of last year he was having regular treats from a well-meaning neighbour who was sharing her own love of cakes and biscuits with Zed. Unsurprisingly, he was making regular house calls. No wonder that this gentle giant of a dog currently tips the scales at 42.7Kg, more than twice his ideal weight.

Ty, 60% overweight - Supersized Staffordshire Bull Terrier Ty (6) weighed in at a staggering 32kg – making him 60% overweight. The chubby canine has gradually piled on the pounds over the years, partly due to his love of treats and large food portions. His owner, Brenda Martin, who’s had Ty since a puppy, said she knew he’d put on weight recently after hearing comments from friends and family about his size. She was shocked however at just how much he weighed when she took him along to PDSA.

Oscar - Oscar was adopted a few years ago by the Griffin family and was so overweight he could barely walk. His new owners have helped him to lose some weight, but he had reached a bit of a ‘plateau’ so they enrolled him in PDSA Pet Fit Club to help him shift the rest of his flab.

Max, 71% overweight - Max, a six-year-old Jack Russell terrier from Hull, loves his owner Sylvia very much, but he loves left-overs and biscuits more than he should. Now Sylvia’s arthritis means Max can’t get all the long walks he used to like. So the podgy pooch is paying for his love of food by tipping the scales at a hefty 14kg, making him over 70% overweight. 

Daisy, 42% overweight - Daisy (5) is a full-figured Bulldog who could win an Oscar for her begging techniques. She will eat anything but has a particular taste for cheese and broccoli! Her supervised sessions on an exercise treadmill proved counter-productive as she had to be bribed with ham to stay on it. Daisy is now a weighty 28kg – over 40% overweight – but her owner is determined to help this chubby canine reach a happier, healthier weight. 

Millie, 43% overweight - Jack Russell terrier Millie (12) was the runt of the litter so her owner has always been generous with her food portions. However, her weight problem only began two years ago when Millie had a problem with her pancreas and the bed rest gave her a chance to be lazy and indulge her love of junk food, including doner kebabs and Yorkshire puddings! The extra pounds are not helping Millie arthritis. So her owner now wants to see Millie shed the pounds so that she can jump on the sofa like she used to and get back to a healthier weight. 

Diesel, 49% overweight - Bulky Boxer Diesel (4), from Poole, has been big since a puppy, but his love of treats has led to the pounds piling on. He now weighs a staggering 58kg – making him around double his ideal weight. Custard creams were a particular favourite, but his owner, Suzanne Fox has now banned the sweet treat, as he can no longer squeeze through the dog flap.

Barney, 75% overweight - Barney’s trouble began just over a year ago when he was put on medication for a skin condition. Coupled with his tendency to eat and chew everything in sight (he once even tried to eat a newspaper!) he ballooned to nearly double what he should. Now he’s better, his owner is determined to help him regain his formerly svelte figure.

Meet the fat cats

Tom, 96% overweight - Morbidly obese Tom is a creature who knows how to get everything he wants and more! Not satisfied with his generous allowance of cat food each day, this mischievous moggy also forces open the cupboard doors on the lookout for food and can even open the fridge. Elizabeth Molloy, Tom’s owner, turned to PDSA for help after she found it easier to lift her young granddaughter than her cat.

Dave, 58% overweight - Dave will eat everything in sight, will steal his sister’s food given half a chance and has even been known to pilfer a donut! Described as a ‘yo-yo’ dieter, his owner’s previous attempts to reduce his food intake have met with yowls and cat-tantrums. But with PDSA’s help his owner is determined to stick to her guns and help lazy Dave lose weight so he can be a ‘proper cat’ again.

Zorro, 88% overweight - Zorro the cat from Dundee is a bit like his animated counterpart Puss in Boots from the Shrek movies – especially when he piled on the pounds! This ginger feline is no swashbuckling hero and instead prefers to spend his days lazing around, sneaking a few of his favourite cheese and onion crisps whenever he can.

Bailey, 75% overweight - Fat cat Bailey tips the scales at around 9kg making him double the weight of a healthy cat. The bulging black cat has a passion for food, food and more food and even out-muscles his canine companions – Ozzie and Ellie – when it comes to feeding time. Bailey’s owner, Janet, from Dagenham, worries that he has an unhealthy obsession with food. In fact the mega moggie’s appetite has become so monstrous he’s even been known to make light work of a pig’s ear - a treat more often associated with dogs.

Meet the roly-poly rabbits

Poppy, 32% overweight - Popcorn-snacking Poppy has piled on the pounds along with her play-mate Joey in the past 12 months. Despite owning a perfectly healthy sized English Setter called Harry, Donna says the family’s rabbits seem to just get bigger and bigger. She puts it down to them being fed too many treats and big portion sizes over the cold winter months.

Joey, 28% overweight - Greedy Joey demands extra food by clanging his bowl against his cage to grab attention. The black and white bunny started to gain excess weight after too many sweet and high calorie foods such as carrots and apples, causing him to become super-sized. His owner Donna is now determined to get him back to a healthier weight thanks to Pet Fit Club. 

Snowball, 35% overweight - The Crump family rescued Snowball from a pet shop, after spotting him in the window and it was love at first sight. He was very underweight when he first arrived in to his new home. The five-year-old Dwarf Lop is a very affectionate rabbit, which has led to the whole family spoiling him rotten. They have been guilty of giving him too many treats, which has caused his waistline to balloon. But this is all set to change since starting his Pet Fit Club six-month diet and exercise programme. 

To view pictures of the obese pets visit http://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-health-advice/pdsa-pet-fit-club