Fat cats and porky pups to face diet and exercise program

November 20, 2:59 PMPet ExaminerTeri Webster

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Cat reacts after learning he's too fat

Snacking daily on buttered toast, biscuits, treats and all the table scraps they wanted, these dogs and cats were living large.
Then they became large -- obese, to be exact.
Four obese pets from the United Kingdom will now be put through an animal version of the reality  television program The Biggest Loser.  The popular program pits overweight people against each other in a contest to see who can lose the most weight.
The animals will be put through a 100-day diet and exercise regime by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a UK veterinary charity that runs the Pet Fit Club. The winner will be the pet with the largest percentage  weight loss.
Being overweight carries the same health risks for pets as it does for people.
Paddy, a 13-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, developed diabetes, according to the PDSA's Web site.
Bo, a 2-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, gets out of breath by going on walks.
The obese pets were over-fed by owners who probably acted out of love and a lack of self-discipline. 
“Many owners admit to spoiling and over feeding their pets," PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon Sean Wensley said in a prepared statement. "Alongside their daily portions of pet food, owners often show their affection by giving unhealthy human treats such as cheese, buttered toast and biscuits. They don’t realize they are actually killing their pets with kindness. This, combined with a lack of, or not enough, exercise, is causing the growing number of obese pets, many of which face a lifetime of serious health problems because of their weight."
In addition to diabetes, other health risks include decreased heat tolerance and stamina, skin conditions, immune system problems, and orthopedic problems.
U.S. pet owners are just as guilty.
A study by the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine estimates that between 22 percent and 40 percent of dogs in the U.S. are obese.
If you suspect your pet is overweight, the first step is taking a pet to a veterinarian to determine if it is overweight, experts say.
Here are some other things you can do.

Tips to help your pet lose weight
If your pet needs to lose weight, the protocol is similar to what people must follow.
*Switch to smaller,  low-fat portions and pet food with reduced calories.
*A strict limit on treats.
*More exercise
*Consider getting your dog a treadmill. 
*Here is more information for helping a cat lose weight.
 

One fat cat

(Photos by PDSA)