The SPCA has issued a timely warning for pet owners to rein in their generosity when it comes to sharing food with their furry friends.
It comes ahead of Pet Obesity Day on October 13.
With Covid lockdowns keeping people at home, more pets are being fed human food scraps.
Blue, a cat who arrived at the Christchurch SPCA a year ago, tipped the scales at a whopping 12.6kgs - the equivalent of four seven pound babies.
Staff there suspect Blue’s owner had been feeding him too much human food.
“He’s genuinely the most obese cat we’ve had in here almost ever,” SPCA senior animal attendant Sal Aitken told Seven Sharp.
After a strict diet plan of two reduced portions of cat food, he’s lost a third of his body weight.
While he’s found his forever home, others aren’t so lucky.
SPCA scientific officer Dr Alison Vaughan told Seven Sharp vets are “increasingly seeing obese or overweight animals”.
She added that a recent study had found around 28 per cent of dogs and 24 per cent of cats were at an unhealthy weight.
Vaughan said contributing factors include people being stuck indoors and boredom.
“Those pleading eyes can really work on our psyches,” she said.
“Sometimes when animals come over and they’re wanting attention, people think they’re wanting food.”
She said concerned owners “can’t tell just by weight alone”.
“The very best way is to talk to your vet. They’ll be able to assess the body condition score and if your pet needs to go on a diet, they can also help you come up with a plan.”
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