Obesity crisis for pets given junk food, fatty treats and even alcohol

Junk food and fatty treats are fuelling a “tragic” obesity crisis for British pets, new research has shown.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Mar 2014, 05:39 BST
PDSA Head Nurse Stella Hughes and fat Boxer, DieselPDSA Head Nurse Stella Hughes and fat Boxer, Diesel
PDSA Head Nurse Stella Hughes and fat Boxer, Diesel

Owners are giving more than 10 million animals high-calorie foods including take-aways, biscuits, chips and even alcohol, according to the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) charity.

Around nine out of ten (87 per cent) give pets treats, despite the fact that 91 per cent realise the resulting obesity 
can reduce their pet’s lifespan.

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It means that of the UK’s estimated 18 million pets some 2.5 million dogs (one in three) and over two million cats (one in four) are currently overweight, the PDSA claimed.

The charity said it was due to owners sharing their own unhealthy eating habits with their pets in a “well-intentioned but misguided attempt to make them happy”.

Elaine Pendlebury, PDSA senior veterinary surgeon, said: “Sadly, seeing morbidly obese pets is now an everyday occurrence in vet practices across the UK; it is one of the biggest welfare concerns facing the nation’s pets.

“It’s effectively a silent killer leading to long term health issues.”