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Pet obesity a growing problem in the UK Pet obesity a growing problem in the UK
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The number of fat cats - and dogs and rabbits - is expected to outstrip healthy ones within five years, as pet obesity rates continue to rise across the country, the PDSA has warned. Fat cats – and dogs and rabbits – are expected to outstrip healthy ones within five years, as pet obesity rates continue to rise across the country, the PDSA has warned. Eighty per cent of veterinary professionals reported seeing an increase in levels of pet obesity in the last two years, with increasing numbers of overweight dogs, cats, rabbits and even small rodents being brought into their surgeries for treatment.
Eighty per cent of veterinary professionals reported seeing an increase in levels of pet obesity in the last two years, with increasing numbers of overweight dogs, cats, rabbits and even small rodents being brought into their surgeries for treatment. The 2014 PDSA Animal Welfare report, released on Thursday, estimates that one in three dogs, one in four cats and one in four rabbits in the UK are overweight or obese, and that the proportion of overweight pets will continue to climb.
The 2014 PDSA Animal Welfare report, released today, estimates that one in three dogs, one in four cats and one in four rabbits in the UK are overweight or obese, and that the proportion of overweight pets will continue to climb.
As in humans, pet obesity can reduce life expectancyAs in humans, pet obesity can reduce life expectancy
“The pet obesity epidemic is something that all veterinary professionals are increasingly concerned about,” said Sean Wensley, a senior veterinary surgeon with the PDSA.“The pet obesity epidemic is something that all veterinary professionals are increasingly concerned about,” said Sean Wensley, a senior veterinary surgeon with the PDSA.
As well as “general loss of quality of life”, Wensley says obese animals suffer from similar health troubles to overweight humans. As well as “general loss of quality of life”, Wensley says obese animals suffer from similar health troubles to overweight humans. “The health implications we’re increasingly diagnosing as a result of obesity include diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and certain types of cancer,” he said. “As in humans, pet obesity can reduce life expectancy.”
“The health implications we’re increasingly diagnosing as a result of obesity include diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and certain types of cancer,” he said. “As in humans, pet obesity can reduce life expectancy.” According to the PDSA, the causes of pet obesity are fairly straightforward: pets are being fed too much and exercised too little. “With feeding, we see two general problems. One is overfeeding an otherwise good quality diet. Owners don’t follow feeding guidelines – they guess what’s the right amount or they feed on demand, when they think their pet is hungry. The second thing we see is people feeding their pets treats throughout the day – takeaways, cheese, chips, crisps – often in small amounts, but pets really do struggle to burn off those extra calories.”
According to the PDSA, the causes of pet obesity are fairly straightforward: pets are being fed too much and exercised too little.
“With feeding, we see two general problems. One is overfeeding an otherwise good quality diet. Owners don’t follow feeding guidelines – they guess what’s the right amount or they feed on demand, when they think their pet is hungry. The second thing we see is people feeding their pets treats throughout the day – takeaways, cheese, chips, crisps – often in small amounts, but pets really do struggle to burn off those extra calories.”
When it comes to exercise, the PDSA report estimates that across the country, six million dogs go for a daily walk shorter than an hour long, and a quarter of a million dogs don’t get walked at all.When it comes to exercise, the PDSA report estimates that across the country, six million dogs go for a daily walk shorter than an hour long, and a quarter of a million dogs don’t get walked at all.
Owners who persistently ignore veterinary advice about their overweight animals could have their pets removed from their care, for failing to provide a suitable diet for their pet, as required by the Animal Welfare Acts.Owners who persistently ignore veterinary advice about their overweight animals could have their pets removed from their care, for failing to provide a suitable diet for their pet, as required by the Animal Welfare Acts.
But Mr Wensley says this is rare and only happens when owners show “a blatant disregard for the advice they’re receiving”. He says most owners simply don’t realise that their pet is overweight and when they do, can take simple steps to help their animal. But Wensley says this is rare and only happens when owners show “a blatant disregard for the advice they’re receiving”. He says most owners simply don’t realise that their pet is overweight and when they do, can take simple steps to help their animal. “A lot of vet practices now run weight-loss clinics. If anyone’s not sure if their pet is overweight, that’s the starting point.”
“A lot of vet practices now run weight-loss clinics. If anyone’s not sure if their pet is overweight, that’s the starting point.”