Pet owners should ensure their dog eats healthily and takes plenty of exercise, says a pet insurance provider .
Hampshire-based specialist insurer Healthy Pets is concerned by the escalating rate of pet obesity, which increases the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis .
Chief executive Mark Effenberg issued some advice for owners whose pets are not used to taking regular exercise. He commented: “It is important to build up the exercise so that your dog can adjust to a new regime. The right diet and regular exercise can significantly reduce the health risks associated with pet obesity .”
According to recent research by pet charity PDSA, around one-third of dogs in the UK are obese, while one in four cats are overweight . The charity recommends that owners feed adult dogs twice a day, following the guidelines on the packaging to ensure the correct amount of food is given. Also it urges animal lovers to take out pet insurance, as this can help with “out-of-the-ordinary expenses that you may not be prepared for”