MONSTER RAT: Huge rodent tops list of overweight animals 2018
Thirteen overweight pets – seven dogs, five cats and the rotund rodent called Mr T – have been put on the scales at the start of their weight loss programme. It shows that together are an astonishing 201 kg (31st 7lb) and now need to shed almost a third of this over coming weeks to reach their ideal weights. Gluttonous stories of stealing food and being spoilt with treats helps explain their obesity issues. One of the canine contestants once stole an entire Sunday roast, while a ravenous feline feasted on a whole cheesecake. What concerns vets is how their weight issues are indicative of Britain’s pet health crisis, with 5.7 million animals being fed treats daily and up to 50 per cent of the nation’s domestic animals officially overweight or obese. PDSA vet Olivia Anderson-Nathan said: “Pet obesity is an epidemic that is seriously impacting the lives of millions of pets across the country.
As with humans, carrying excess weight has serious health implications for our four-legged friends. It increases the chances of life-limiting and life-threatening conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and heart diseases. “With the help of PDSA and Pet Fit Club, these pets and their owners are making the necessary diet, exercise and lifestyle changes to get down to healthier weights. We will support them every step of the way over the next six months to ensure they succeed. “If owners are worried about their pets' weight they should seek advice from their local vet or vet nurse. They will make sure pets are on the right type of diet, being fed the correct amount and work with owners to help increase their pet’s exercise levels.” Pet Fit Club has run by leading veterinary charity PDSA since 2005 and has helped 124 overweight and obese pets (79 dogs, 37 cats and 8 rabbits) lose an incredible 450kg (71 stone), the equivalent to 160,000 doughnuts. Last year’s winner, Alfie the Beagle, from Middlesbrough, successfully shed an astonishing 34 per cent of his bodyweight. As a strict six-month diet and exercise programme, Pet Fit Club will see participating animals placed on individually tailored regimes.
NC Mr T is double hid ideal weight
Here are this year’s contestants: Bella: Weighing in at a whopping 24kg (3st 11lb), Bella the beagle once stole an entire beef joint which had been cooked for Sunday dinner. Benji: At 11.3kg (1st 11lb), Benji the five-year-old cat is now so large he can no longer fit through the cat flap. Elvis: At his heaviest, Elvis weighed a whopping 10kg (1st 8lb). He’s been on a diet since January but is still more than double his ideal weight. Billy: Billy the 11.25kg (1st 11lb) Shih Tzu has ballooned over the past 18-months after discovering his puppy dog eyes could land him extra treats.
SWNS Bella, the beagle
Borris: Bulging Borris has been pampered so much he is almost double his ideal weight at 27kg (4st 4lb). The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s monstrous appetite once saw him devour a set of false teeth. Chester: Having once stolen an entire cheesecake, Chester the cat has scoffed and snoozed his way to a whopping 7.6kg (1st 3lb). Mr T: This supersize rat with a love for snacks needs to lose half his bulk to reach the ideal weight of 0.5kg/1lb. Pen: Pen the cat has eaten and napped her way to around one-and-a-half times the size she should be. She needs to lose 6.kg (13lb) to reach her ideal weight (4kg/9lb). Pepsi-Cola: This heavyweight cat, now so big that she can no longer jump the garden fence, weighs in at a whopping 8.8kg (19lb) and needs to lose a colossal 3.3kg (7lb) to reach her ideal weight.
SWNS Elvis, the cat