April 28, 2006 — British pet owners were warned this week in a report from an animal protection society of the dangers of overfeeding their animals with excessive quantities of sugar and fat.

"Feeding your pet full English breakfasts, chocolate, chips, burgers and too much pet food may make you feel like a kind and loving owner," said David Grant, a veterinarian working for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"But it could give your pet fatty tumors, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, liver failure, skin problems — and, even worse, an early death."

Of 143 veterinarians questioned by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for the report, 80 percent reported a steep rise in the number of cases of overweight pets.

More than three quarters — 76 percent — had started special fat clinics to reduce the girth of pets.

One owner in three of 2,300 questioned acknowledged that their four-legged friend was too fat. For cats, the figure was above 50 percent.

One man used to feed his dog a breakfast of egg, sausage and bacon until it became so fat it could not move and had to be put down. He was banned for life from keeping animals, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said.

"People who let their pets starve are labeled cruel and callous, but what people don't realize is that overfeeding your pet can cause just as much suffering as starving it," Grant said.

"A fat dog may look cute and cuddly but in reality you are killing it with kindness. An animal only needs to be slightly over its ideal body weight for health problems to begin," he said.

"If you think your pet is overweight, consult your vet today and show your animal that you really do care about them."