News Tonight

Obesity in pets can be the reason for their inactive behavior and frequent illness. A research conducted by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, an animal health and welfare charity, cited that about 12 million pets in Wales are fed with foods as cakes, cheese, crisps, biscuits, etc. which tend to increase the levels of obesity in them. The PDSA said that as overeating and eating unhealthy food has its consequences for human, similarly it affects the health of the pets.

The weight of pets should be in accordance with their age, so as to avoid the occurrence of some deadly disease in them. In the survey 885 pet owners were included; all of them were required to answer few questions regarding the food they feed their pets with. The results stated that dogs were on the top of the list, 89% of pet owners approved that they fed their dogs with food not meant for them as cake, biscuits, etc., the second position was conquered by the cat community with 42% of cats being fed with food resulting in increased levels of fat and on the last position are the rabbits with 21%.

An obesity specialist from University of Liverpool Veterinary School, Dr. Alex German, said that the findings of the survey are astonishing and shall be considered seriously by all the people who love their pets and want them to lead a healthy life. He said that feeding the pets with junk food sometimes is understood but repeating the same on regular basis is an issue of concern regarding their health.

The Animal Health and Welfare Charity has stepped forward to deal with the problem by making the pet owners aware about the necessity of healthy food for pets and by commencing various programs which will help overweight pets in losing weight.