Nearly a third of pet owners in Scotland feeding pets daily treats

Nearly a third of Scotland’s dog, cat and rabbit owners are feeding their pets treats every day.

Research from PDSA vets found a couch-potato lifestyle and excessive food consumption is fuelling a four-legged obesity crisis across the country.

Owners confessed that these ‘treats’ often included crisps, cake, cheese, chips, takeaways and, in some cases, even chocolate, which is highly toxic to dogs and can be fatal.

To help tackle the problem, the charity is searching for Scotland’s chubbiest cats, dogs and rabbits, as it launches its annual pet slimming contest.

Early entries in the competition include Elvis the cat from Clydebank.

His owner Carole Sweeney, 55, says she didn’t realise how big her boy had become until family members began to make comments.

Following advice from staff at Glasgow Shamrock Street PDSA Pet Hospital it’s a case of ‘now or never’ for Elvis, who has been put on a strict diet in a bid to get him down to a healthy weight.

She said: “I never gave Elvis treats or human food, but I’ve since learned that his portion sizes were way out of control.

“He basically had his own all-day buffet, whenever he emptied his bowl I would fill it back up again. The fact that he’s an indoor cat meant he soon piled on the weight.”

The national competition – now in its 13th year - has helped 124 overweight and obese pets (79 dogs, 37 cats and 8 rabbits) lose an incredible 450kg (71 stone) since its launch in 2005.

PDSA vet Rebecca Ashman said: “Sadly the UK’s pet population is suffering from an obesity epidemic. Latest scientific literature shows that at least a third of dogs and a quarter of cats are clinically overweight or obese, but the true figures could be as high as 40%, making obesity one of the most common medical diseases seen by vets. It is a ticking time bomb that will have drastic consequences for our pets.”

Pets chosen for PDSA Pet Fit Club are placed on a strict six-month diet and exercise programme, individually tailored to their needs and overseen by vets and vet nurses at their local PDSA Pet Hospital.

Rebecca continues: “Over the years PDSA Pet Fit Club has helped transform some of the UK’s fattest, unhealthiest pets into fit and healthy animals. Pets that couldn’t climb stairs or fit through cat flaps have been given a new lease of life.

“Prevention is definitely better than cure, but if owners are worried about their pet’s weight it is never too late to do something about it. With the right advice, a good diet, suitable exercise and a bit of willpower owners have the ability to make a real difference to their pet’s health, happiness and life expectancy.

“The charity is urging all owners with pets carrying a few too many pounds to enter them in Pet Fit Club.”

Owners can apply online at pdsa.org.uk/petfitclub.