Nine out of 10 pet owners are unconcerned about their animal's size according to a BBC news story. You might think that with the British love of pets and the outdoors despite a lot of miserable weather, obesity in pets would not be a problem. Well not only is it a 'growing' issue in the UK and the US, but the real problem could really be with the pet parent population according to the survey.

"Some 62% of dog-owners and 72% of cat owners believed they could do little or nothing about their pets' weight. A report by the People's Dispensary for Sick animals in 2008 claimed one in three UK dogs was overweight." However when a survey was conducted on behalf of the Pet Food Manufacturer's Association (PFMA) in more than 2,100 UK households, eight out of 10 owners believed their pet was the correct weight. But when shown pictures of animals of varying weights, just 33% of dog owners and 23% of cat owners said their animal resembled the "normal weight image". PFMA chief executive Michael Bellingham said "perceptions of pets' correct size were seriously out of kilter with reality. Pet obesity has a serious, and sometimes fatal impact on the health and welfare of our pets. The figures are alarming and the  problem , because they are unable to recognise a fat pet in the first place."  Well love is blind, and of course many people may choose to ignore the problem, starting out with good intentions to look after and sometimes spoil their pet, so that food or treats = love, when in reality a good walk would be a much healthier way of loving and caring for your pet.  Whatever the case it is a good idea to seek a vet's advice on your pet's weight once in a while just to keep on track and avoid having to resort to diets...never a happy experience for pet or owner!