Pet Fit Club is back!
The PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report has revealed that more than 18 million pets are being fed deadly diets putting them at risk of a miserable life and early grave.
Pet Fit Club, our annual slimming competition, has helped many pets shed the pounds to reach a healthier weight and live longer and happier lives.
The call for entries into PDSA's pet slimming contest has now closed.
Thank you to everyone who entered their pet for a chance to take part in PDSA's six month diet and exercise programme, overseen by our vets and nurses.
Details of the Pet Fit Club finalists will be announced shortly.
In the meantime, for advice on ensuring your cat, dog and rabbit are leading healthy and happy lives please check out the information below.
READ ALL ABOUT OUR PREVIOUS WINNERS WHO ARE SHADOWS OF THEIR FORMER SELVES!
Pet Fit Club Champ 2012
Last year's winner of Pet Fit Club was formerly morbidly obese Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Jack from London. He was rehomed by his current owner a couple of months before he was enrolled into the six-month slimming competition, weighing a shocking 20.5kg, making him 105% overweight.
When Jack arrived at his new home he could barely walk, couldn't lie down comfortably, was constantly panting and didn't have the energy to bark or wag his tail – he was very miserable. His new owners were distraught and very worried that he wouldn't survive.
A complete transformation took place during Pet Fit Club - he shed 31% of his bodyweight. He continued to lose weight and is now at his ideal weight and is like a different dog; he jumps every time he barks now and his tail is never still. He is fit, healthy and happy – everything a pet should be – and his owners are absolutely thrilled.
Jack's story
Billie
Tom cat Billie (10) from Sunderland loved his food and always had a bigger appetite than his other feline housemate, often helping himself to food that wasn’t his. This led to him becoming 93% overweight but thanks to PDSA Pet Fit Club, Billie lost 23% of his bodyweight, and is now down to a healthier weight of 6.7kg.
Billie's story
Billy
'Cuddly' Cocker spaniel Billy (6) from Glasgow had a passion for food, glorious food, resulting in him becoming 34% overweight. His owners realised they had to take action to slim him down so signed him up to take part in PDSA Pet Fit Club. He did amazingly well, losing an impressive 29% of his bodyweight.
Billy's story
Bobby
Mini Lop rabbit Bobby (4) from Yorkshire gradually piled on the pounds over the years to the extent that her large dewlap (the fold under her chin) was making it difficult to groom herself properly. She weighed in at 2.3kg, making her 49% overweight. Bobby is now a much happier bunny after losing 29% of her bodyweight.
Bobby's story
Pet Fit Club 2012 Winners Video
Take a look at our video to meet the 2012 Pet Fit Club winners, who transformed after shedding the pounds thanks to PDSA’s 6-month diet and exercise programme:
Pet obesity revealed
New findings from the PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report show that a massive 18.5 million pets are regularly being fed inappropriate diets that aren't as healthy as they should be, with 13.5 million of these regularly receiving fatty and sugary treats such as takeaways, crisps and cakes.
- Overweight pets are at risk of serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis, and have a lower life expectancy than healthy pets
- 61% of pet owners think severely overweight pets should be removed from an owner who persistently ignores veterinary advice
- 51% of pet owners think that overweight owners are more likely to have overweight pets
- 48% of owners admit to giving their pet a treat because they think it makes their pet feel happy, while 29% of owners say it’s because it makes them happy
Your free guides to keeping your pet healthy
Learn more about keeping your pet healthy, including diet and exercise tips and how to assess your pet’s correct shape. You can also download PDSA’s Animal Wellbeing Report, revealing the state of our pet nation.
There are also useful posters to download which you can use to assess what a healthy shape is for your dog, cat or rabbit:
Dealing with the reality of the Pet Obesity Epidemic
PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Sean Wensley, said: “We understand why people are shocked at seeing images of morbidly obese pets. It is encouraging that people are reacting this way because it means that people are taking notice of pet obesity and recognising the major problems it is causing for our pets’ health, quality of life and life expectancy. Once people are aware of these problems we can then all work together to improve pet diet and exercise habits and reverse the worrying trend that we’re seeing”.
Pet Fit Club is a great way of providing practical help to the pets and owners who take part, and raising awareness of these issues.
Sean added: “The owners of the Pet Fit Club finalists are taking a very positive step to tackle their pet’s weight problem, as they want their pets to be healthy and happy. Their pets are very much loved members of the family, but an inappropriate diet and constant treats and titbits given by themselves, friends and family or former owners have taken their toll. By following the advice of PDSA vets and nurses, the owners of the finalists are determined to get their pets back down to a healthier weight, and this is a very positive message for other pet owners in similar situations.
“There are many pet owners who may be unsure what to do to help their pet. We hope projects like Pet Fit Club will encourage more pet owners to take a closer look at their own pet’s diet and exercise levels by seeking advice from their vets and using the PDSA website to learn more about what improvements can be made.”
2013 Competition Sponsors
Diets for the dog and cat finalists are kindly supplied by Hill's. Hill's is also kindly supplying a year's free Hill's diet food for the overall national cat and dog winner.
Diets for rabbit finalists will be kindly supplied by Burgess. Burgess will also supply a year's free rabbit food for the overall winning rabbit.
The owner of the overall pet crowned Pet Fit Club Champ – across all finalists – will receive a pet-friendly cottage break up to the value of £300 with cottages4you, kindly sponsored by Hill’s and cottages4you.
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