Dog Obesity A Growing Problem In The UK

Scotland has the highest number of overweight dogs in the UK, according to a new study by leading animal charity PDSA .

The group found that more than a third of dogs (35 per cent) in the country are overweight, with the highest number – almost half – belonging to owners in Glasgow .

The Midlands was second with 34 per cent of canines needing to lose with, closely followed by the South East region (30 per cent).

Even in Northern Ireland, which has the lowest proportion, nearly a fifth of all dogs are obese, according to the research.

The PDSA revealed that 71 per cent of vets across the country said that owners were usually shocked to find out their animal’s weight was a problem, while 82 per cent reported that owners consider fat pets to be "cute and cuddly".

Elaine Pendlebury, PDSA senior veterinary surgeon, said pet obesity was a growing problem in the UK, with one in three dogs nationwide now classed as overweight.

"This is not about wagging the finger at pet owners, but more about encouraging them to start seeing their pet's true shape," she said.

"There's a real misconception about what a healthy shape is and increasingly a 'tubby' pet is viewed as normal."

"But it's not natural, and thousands of pets across the UK are having their quality of life, and ultimately their life expectancy, cut short as a direct result of obesity ."

According to experts, overweight dogs are at higher risk of developing conditions such as arthritis and diabetes and are likely to years earlier than dogs that are fit and lean.