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Obesity 'number one health danger for dogs'
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23 July 2007 Obesity 'number one health danger for dogs'
Pet owners have been warned that a tendency to over-treat and under-exercise their animals can result in obesity and a host of associated conditions.Research from Sainsbury's Pet Insurance reveals that 81 per cent of animal physiotherapists contend that obesity is the top danger for dogs, while approximately 2.72 million dogs and 2.87 million cats in the UK are considered to be obese.
While ideal weights differ for age and breeds of dogs, the Pet Food Manufacturers Association advises owners to look for tell-tale signs of an overweight pet, including ribs not being felt easily, an invisible waist and sagging tummy.
Claire Moyles, pet insurance manager at Sainsbury's, said: "Overfed, obese animals often suffer from diabetes, osteoarthritis and other conditions that require a long-term course of veterinary treatment and their life expectancy can also be reduced dramatically."
She added that concerned owners can switch their pets meals to low-calorie, organic and preservative-free alternatives available on the market.
Earlier this year, research from Halifax Pet Insurance revealed that 37 per cent of cats and dogs in Britain are currently overweight.
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