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Pet obesity named top welfare concern
obese dog
"Obesity is a potential killer for pets and we know more and more practices are seeing overweight animals coming through their doors".

Two-thirds of vets most worried about obese pets - survey
 
Obesity or overfeeding has been named the top welfare concern facing UK pets, in a new survey by the BVA.

In a poll of over 1,600 vets, nearly two-thirds said obesity or overfeeding was their greatest welfare concern. The figures were released to coincide with World Obesity Day.

Pet owners failing to follow or understand pet food feeding guidelines, giving too many treats and snacks and lack of exercise, are all playing a part the rising problem of pet obesity, BVA says.

While owners may feel they are being kind, BVA president Gudrun Ravetz said often it is a case of "killing with kindness" and is contributing to poor health and limited life spans.

"Obesity is a potential killer for pets and we know more and more practices are seeing overweight animals coming through their doors," she added.

Pet owners are urged to seek advice from their local vet on how much to feed and how to recognise a healthy body shape.

BSAVA president Susan Dawson believes vets and pet owners must work together to help keep animals healthy.

"All companion animals deserve a nutritionally balanced diet; in fact it is a requirement of the Animal Welfare Acts.

"Of course it is tempting to give too many treats and easy to forget to weigh food out, but because obesity can cause serious health and welfare problems for companion animals BSAVA strongly recommends that bodyweight and body condition are monitored regularly and diets modified to maintain a healthy weight."

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.