Pictures of Britain's fattest pets released as PDSA launches slimming contest

The national contest is appealing to owners of massive cats, tortoises and dogs to help them lose weight.

Its slimming competition so far includes a two stone Jack Russell who enjoys steak sandwiches and bacon baps.

It also includes a 10kg cat named Elvis Presley - who's twice the size of a normal feline - and a two stone Maltese Shih Tzu.

Vets organising the event say binge eating and a couch-potato lifestyle has created a four-legged obesity crisis.

Fifteen animals from around the UK are selected and placed on a strict six-month diet with a rigorous exercise programme overseen by charity PDSA.

Supersized Jack Russell Alfie, from London, is double the size he should be because his owner feeds him steak sandwiches and bacon baps.

Alfie, 11, enjoys crisps at owner Tony Hughes’ local pub and currently tips the scales at a whopping 14.3kg (2st 4lbs) – around double the size of an average male Jack Russell, 7kg (1st 2lbs).

Billy the two stone Shih Tzu, from Bolton, piled on the pounds over a year because of his love of cheese and toast.

He now weighs three times the ideal weight and owner Lee Piercey says it's down to being "spoilt rotten".

Elvis, from Scotland, bulked up by snacking on an ‘all day buffet’ courtesy of his devoted owner Carole, 55.

The national competition, Pet Fit Club, which is now in its 13th year, has helped 124 overweight and obese pets lose 450kg - 71 stone.

That's equivalent to a grand piano or 160,000 doughnuts and last year's winner, Alfie the Beagle, shed an 34% of his bodyweight.

PDSA vet Rebecca Ashman said: “Sadly the UK’s pet population is suffering from an obesity epidemic.

"Latest scientific literature shows that at least a third of dogs and a quarter of cats are clinically overweight or obese, but the true figures could be as high as 40%, making obesity one of the most common medical diseases seen by vets.

“Prevention is definitely better than cure, but if owners are worried about their pet’s weight it is never too late to do something about it.

"With the right advice, a good diet, suitable exercise and a bit of willpower owners have the ability to make a real difference to their pet’s health, happiness and life expectancy."

The charity’s PAW Report revealed that 5.7million UK pets (3.4 million dogs, 2 million cats and 260,000 rabbits) are fed treats every day.

Owners confessed that these ‘treats’ often include crisps, cake, cheese, chips, takeaways – even chocolate, which is highly toxic to dogs and can be fatal.

They also admitted that their pets regularly dined on table scraps or leftovers – some 4 million (2.4 million dogs, 1.5 million cats and 30,000 rabbits) receive these as their main meals instead of suitable pet food.

To enter Pet Fit Club, click here.