Man's best friend shares obesity woes
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LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Obesity is the No. 1 health problem for dogs in Britain, according to a study released Thursday.
The second-biggest health danger was traffic, with disc problems third.
Almost three-quarters of physiotherapists questioned cited obesity in the survey by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy -- which deals with animals as well as humans.
Like humans, dogs became obese because they were overfed and did not exercise enough, the study observed.
"As a nation, we overfeed at mealtimes and tend to give 'tidbits' through the day as treats for our furry friends," said animal physiotherapist Charlotte Baldwyn. "Good health and fitness for the domestic pet is vital to a happy and long life."
Reinforcing, perhaps, the old saying that owners tend to look like their dogs, official figures have showed the proportion of obese men and women in Britain hit a record high in 2001.
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