Leading Bracknell vets have launched a New Year campaign to tackle obesity in pets.
Moor Cottage Veterinary Hospital is running a campaign called: “A little extra weight is a BIG problem”.
The timing is no accident, with Moor Cottage deliberately targeting a time of year when we all think about our weight after indulging in rich food over the festive period.
Helen McCabe, senior health care nurse at Moor Cottage, says pet owners should check their animal’s weight, too, especially after shocking statistics recently revealed nearly 60 per cent of dogs and almost 50 per cent of cats across the country are overweight.
Helen said: “The UK’s figures are the worst in Europe and we see the proof of that virtually every day in our Binfield practice.
“This is why we are launching our campaign to coincide with the New Year, as a number of pet owners, especially those of cats and dogs, will resolve to battle the bulge with their pets in 2018.
“All too often people think they are giving their dogs and cats a treat when they give them titbits and left-overs but they are actually doing them harm and putting their health at risk.
“For instance, giving a bit of cheese to a dog is the equivalent of a human eating five doughnuts or five hamburgers.
“Likewise, if you are having a cup of tea and share a biscuit with your dog it’s the equivalent of them eating a whole packet.
“Similarly with cats, a 100ml bowl of milk is like them drinking a whole bottle of milk.
“People have to realise that animal’s stomachs and digestive systems are far different to a human’s and also that human food is not automatically suitable for our pets to eat.”
Moor Cottage is inviting pet owners to book their animals in to be weighed and undergo a New Year check-up.
There will also be help, advice and support on implementing a carefully controlled feeding plan for any pet that is found to be overweight.
Helen said: “It can take months for a dog or cat to lose their excess weight, so the sooner pet owners start them off, the better.
“Our programme is tried and tested and the majority of pets do lose the weight but it is very important to stick to the regime and to cut out all those ‘treats and sweets’ which can do so much harm and damage to the animals we love.”
