Overweight rottweiler aims for national slimming title

Rottweiler Holly, from Monk Bretton, is taking part in the Pet Fit Club diet and fitness competition run by the PDSA charity.

According to figures released by the charity, 43 per cent of dog owners in Yorkshire give their pets daily treats and 30 per cent feed them scraps and leftovers.

Holly began competing in the six-month challenge last December after being nominated by her owners Paul and Pamela Rymer and is now edging closer to her ideal weight of 35kg, or about five-and-a-half stone.

Mrs Rymer said: “Unfortunately Holly had to have an operation on her leg just after we started the competition, which has made losing weight difficult.

“We’ve stuck to the diet exactly but she needed strict bed rest for weeks while she healed, meaning she couldn’t exercise. But she’s on the mend now and her weight is slowly dropping.

“We’re determined to stick with the programme until she loses every extra pound.”

Holly’s diet and fitness programme is being specially tailored by the vets and nurses at Sheffield’s PDSA PetAid hospital.

PDSA senior vet, Liz Airey, said: “Holly’s had a number of complications following an operation on her cruciate ligament, which has restricted her exercise and weight loss.

“But she’s moving in the right direction and we’re pleased with the progress she’s making. It will take time but we’re confident she’ll reach her target weight eventually.

“Carrying excess weight can have serious short and long-term health problems for pets, making them less mobile and willing to play, as well as putting them in danger of developing life-threatening health problems.”

Holly is competing against 10 other obese pets for the title of PDSA Pet Fit Club Champ.

The overall winner will be announced at a ceremony in June, at which they will receive a top prize of a pet-friendly holiday worth £300.

Over the last four years, PDSA has assessed the weight of nearly 25,000 dogs across the UK and found that 35 per cent of them are overweight.