Fat Pets Joining in on New Year's Resolution

Doner-kebab-loving Collies, Yorkshire Pudding loving Pugs.

Most pet owners keep their hound on a great diet of proper food and exercise...but some across the North East will deet their pooch any...and everything!

A new year brings new challenges, those new year resolutions to live well and eat healthy gradually fade as January turns to February and winter becomes spring.

While your new year’s resolution may fade to black and those intentions to go jogging with your dog in tow disperse. It’s imperative that you keep up a healthy routine for your pet.

New research shows that millions of us are falling into the trap of overindulging our pets as a way of expressing our love. Millions of pets get treats as part of their diet including crisps, cake, leftovers, cheese, chips and takeaways.

Vet charity PDSA’s annual Pet Fit Club returned bigger and better than ever this month as a new group of overweight dogs, cats and rabbits battled it out to be crowned pet slimming champion of the year.

The chunky finalists embarked on a strict six-month diet and exercise programme, overseen by vets and nurses, in a bid to transform them from porky pets into fit four-legged friends. The vet charity’s weight-loss challenge has produced scores of slimming success stories over the last nine years, helping pet owners fight the flab and get their pets to a healthier weight, so increasing their chances of living longer, happier lives.

A leading authority on pet wellbeing, PDSA is committed to providing education on all aspects of responsible pet ownership through a variety of initiatives. Offering a range of free guides including diet and exercise tips, it is now easier than ever to keep our furry friends healthy and happy.

• 80% of veterinary professionals believe there will be more overweight pets than healthy weighing pets in the next five years.

• 2.4 million dogs in the UK are not given the opportunity to exercise off the lead outside the home or garden on a daily basis.

• Sadly, UK pet obesity levels are at a worryingly high level. In fact, around 2.5 million dogs and over 2 million cats are currently estimated to be overweight.