keep your pets lean and fit

How According to animal charity PDSA, more than a third of British dogs are already overweight, and this proportion could rise to 50% by 2013!

Like humans, pets which are overweight have a reduced quality of life. They are likely to be less full of life, and as a result, less fun.

As with humans, this can cause the following; heart disease, diabetes, respiratory problems, high blood pressure and even cancer.

Obesity can be a result of disease, and there are also a variety of factors that can have a bearing on weight for both cats and dogs. For example, some breeds are more prone to obesity than others, while being neutered and the ageing process also increases the risk.

However, a more common reason than any of these is that a pet is getting more energy from its food than it is using up in exercising; either it’s eating too much, or not being active enough.

With cats and dogs, you should be able to feel the ribs – though they should not be sticking out – and the animal should have a waist which is visible from above, along with a belly which is tucked up when viewed from the side. If they don’t have these features then they may be overweight, or even obese, depending on the scale of the problem, and it could make sense to contact your vet.

It is suggested that owners feed their pets commercial pet food – as recommended by a vet – as opposed to providing a home-made diet, as pet food make it easier to gauge the level of nutrients they are getting. Follow the guidelines on the packaging so you don’t under- or over-feed.

While giving treats can work well in training to reward good behaviour, owners should try to avoid sugary or salty food – in fact, the PDSA suggests that most dogs like chopped carrot.

The other part of the equation is ensuring that your pet gets plenty of exercise. In addition to taking a dog for walks – and allowing it to run off the lead in safe, contained areas – there are a number of ways to encourage it to take exercise. Playing ‘fetch’ with a tennis ball or even a Frisbee is a common example, while allowing your dog to swim is a good option for animals with joint problems. If you are up to it and if you have a dog which is calm enough, you could even try a ‘springer’ – a fixed lead with a built-in spring – which allows you to cycle safely alongside your pet.