Scottish SPCA warns pet owners not to overfeed during festive season
Animal experts are advising owners to ensure their dog receives regular exercise to burn off calories.
An animal welfare charity which is on a mission to help an obese dog shed the pounds has warned owners about the dangers of overfeeding pets during the festive season.
Lloyd, an overweight brindle/white staffie cross, is being looked after by the Scottish SPCA's animal rescue and re-homing centre in Glasgow.
Officials say his weight gain has been caused by a variety of things including lack of exercise, being overfed and given human food as treats.
Glasgow centre manager Anna O'Donnell says animal lovers can monitor Lloyd's weight-loss efforts on its Facebook page every month.
She said: "Lloyd arrived at our Glasgow centre extremely obese and we are now on a mission to get him healthy again.
"It won't be a quick journey but we're going to put the time into helping him to show the public just how dangerous overfeeding your dog can be.'' Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: While there will be some dogs in Scotland carrying a small amount of excess weight, thankfully it is relatively rare for dogs to be so overweight that their health suffers.
"Nevertheless, in severe cases overfeeding a dog would be an act of cruelty which could have just as dire consequences as underfeeding.''
The charity has issued steps to prevent dog owners allowing their pets to become obese.
It says they should ensure their dog has an appropriate and balanced diet depending on its age, size and breed.
It advises animal owners not to give their dog human food and avoid fatty treats.
Animal experts also advise owners to ensure their dog receives regular exercise to burn off calories.
Mr Flynn added: "While it is common for people to over-indulge during the festive season, we would urge pet owners to think twice before giving their pets lots of treats and they should also ensure their animals get the exercise they need to stay fit and healthy.''