Fatty treats fed to nearly three quarters of pets in Scotland
Boxer Diesel weighs 58kg, around double his ideal weight.
Pet owners in Scotland top the league tables when it comes to feeding fatty treats, according to research by the PDSA.
The charity warns more than 10 million pets in the UK are being fed junk food, such as takeaways, chips and biscuits.
It is estimated that around one third of dogs and a quarter of cats in the UK are currently overweight, putting them at risk of disease and early death.
PDSA research shows 72 per cent of Scottish owners lavish their pets with junk food - the highest percentage in the whole of the UK.
Following closely behind, 69 per cent of Welsh pet owners and two-thirds of owners in the north west of England are loading their pets up with high calorie, unsuitable snacks.
While London had the lowest rate of pet owners feeding fatty treats, nearly half (48 per cent) of owners in the region are still giving inappropriate snacks.
Dr Philippa Yam, leading animal obesity expert at the University of Glasgow, said PDSA's findings are "very worrying and demonstrate that diet remains one of the most misunderstood welfare needs for pets. Obesity is one of the most pressing health issues affecting companion animals."
PDSA's senior vet Elaine Pendlebury said seeing morbidly obese pets is now "an everyday occurrence" in UK veterinary practices.
The charity's 2013 PAW Report highlighted a range of inappropriate foods being fed to pets, including takeaway leftovers, crisps and chocolate. In some cases, pets even helped themselves to leftover alcohol.
Today is the launch of the PDSA's Pet Fit Club, which aims to tackle the ongoing problem of obesity. Jack Russell terrier Ruby was crowned winner of last year's fit club after PDSA vets and nurses helped her to shed a third of her bodyweight.
Boxer Diesel (pictured) has been put forward for the competition by his owner Suzanne Fox, 56, from Poole. He tips the scales at a whopping 58kg - around double his ideal weight.
Custard creams were a former favourite, fed by his owner along with other treats to try to help him grow out of his destructive habit of chewing furniture.
Suzanne, who is now following advice from PDSA vets, commented: "I have another boxer, Tia, who is a healthy weight, so I was shocked when I found out just how heavy Diesel was after talking to the PDSA vet.
"He loves going to the beach, so I hadn't considered that his weight could cause him to have health problems in the future."
Owners can enter their pets for the fit club via the PDSA website. The deadline for entries is Sunday, April 27, 2014.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
