A DEADLY diet of treats and table scraps, coupled with a couch-potato lifestyle, is fueling an obesity time bomb for pets.
Leading vet charity PDSA has urged pet owners to ‘skip the treats and hit the streets’ after finding that a staggering 5.7 million UK pets (3.4 million dogs, 2 million cats and 260,000 rabbits) are fed treats every day – and 19 per cent of dogs aren’t walked every day.
Loving but indulgent owners admitted ‘treating’ their pets to a range of dangerous foods including crisps, cake, cheese, chips and takeaways.
PDSA vet Rebecca Ashman explains the reasons behind owner behaviour: “We love our pets and owners often enjoy showing their love by giving food. Nearly half (44 per cent) of owners across the UK told us that they give treats because they believe it makes the pets happy, and over a quarter (27 per cent) do it to make themselves feel good. And 13% confess to giving treats because their pets beg, puppy dog eyes are hard to resist.
“Treats and human food can be high in fat and sugars which are bad for pets’ waistlines and teeth. Some foods, like chocolate, are poisonous to pets and can even be fatal.”
To help battle PDSA is launching its annual Pet Fit Club competition, which is a six-month diet and exercise programme, tailored and overseen by expert PDSA vets and nurses.
The charity will select up to 15 overweight dogs, cats and rabbits from across the UK to participate.
For details visit http://www.pdsa.org.uk/petfitclub
