Scotland tops league for fat dogs

Many pet owners thought their obese pets were "cute and cuddly"

Scotland has the highest number of fat dogs in the UK, according to a leading animal charity.

A national survey by PDSA found that about 35% of all dogs coming into its Scottish clinics were obese.

In Glasgow, the figure was as high as 50%, with Edinburgh just below the national average on 34%.

The charity said the statistic could be down to more cases of "pet body dysmorphia" - where owners do not see or acknowledge their pet's condition.

PDSA senior veterinary surgeon, Elaine Pendlebury, said pet obesity was a growing problem in the UK.

"It's not just dogs that suffer from obesity,"she said. "During my years as a vet I have seen a steady increase in the number of cats, rabbits and even small furries that are overweight too.

Dog obesity across UK Scotland 35% Midlands 34% Southeast 30% Northwest 27% Wales 26% Northeast 25% Southwest 25% London 23% Northern Ireland 18%

"This is not about wagging the finger at pet owners, but more about encouraging them to start seeing their pet's true shape.

"There's a real misconception about what a healthy shape is and increasingly a 'tubby' pet is viewed as normal.

"But it's not natural, and thousands of pets across the UK are having their quality of life, and ultimately their life expectancy, cut short as a direct result of obesity."

During the survey, 71% of PDSA vets said owners of overweight pets were genuinely shocked when told their pets' weight was a problem.

About 82% of vets said many owners saw fat pets as "cute and cuddly".

PDSA released the findings of its survey to coincide with the launch of its pet slimming competition, PDSA Pet Fit Club.