There are more than 2.5 million obese pets in the UK. 1.8 million dogs and 750,000 cats are clinically obese and is a major trigger for serious medical conditions including heart disease, joint problems and diabetes.
Pet owners may think they are treating their furry friends with titbits, but in the long run this actually does more harm than good as an obese pet is less able to enjoy life. The best ways to reduce obesity are through ensuring a good diet and regular exercise.
Andrew Goodsell, Group Chief Executive, Saga said: "Pet owners hold a great responsibility in dictating their pet's diet and exercise patterns. It has been well publicised that we need to adjust our own diets if we are to avoid becoming an obese nation, but it is also important to understand what constitutes healthy eating for your pet."
If pets are going to join in the fun at Christmas, Valentine's day and Easter, owners should only feed them chocolate specifically designed for animals. Normal chocolate can be poisonous to pets, small amounts may cause vomiting and diarrhoea as it upsets the digestive system. Larger amounts can have more serious effects, including death. And remember the average cost of treating a dog with diabetes is ¯¿½1,100.
Tell tale signs to indicate that your pet is overweight:
Cats
- sagging abdomen
- Obese cats sleep more, have difficulty jumping and climbing, are sometimes unable to groom themselves properly
- may be reluctant to play.
Dogs
- broad back
- thickness of the skin at the base of the tail
- ribs are difficult to feel
- waist is difficult to define
- Obese dogs sleep more, pant more and may suffer from exercise intolerance.
If you suspect that your pet may be overweight, visit your vet who will be able to confirm this and recommend a balanced diet to reduce your pet's weight. Saga also offers the following suggestions:
- If your pet needs to diet, weigh the amount of food you give them to ensure they are receiving a balanced amount - feed little and often and remember that a hungry pet will scavenge for more food and undo all the good work!
- As with human diets, pets should lose weight gradually with small achievable targets complemented by increased exercise
- Make your pet work for their food - feed cats at the top of the stairs and hide dog food in toys around the house
