Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 12th October 2023
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Interactive tool launched to tackle dog obesity
The tool provides users with a personalised help sheet for approaching their dog's diet.
The initiative is in response to a rise in pet obesity.

A pet food association has launched a new interactive and educational tool, in an effort to tackle obesity in dogs.

UK Pet Food, a group for those in the pet food industry, collaborated on the project with human psychologist Professor Thomas Webb, of the University of Sheffield, in an effort to tackle a rise in dog obesity.

The initiative was implemented in response to a survey conducted by UK Pet Food at London Vet Show 2022, where it was discovered that 50 per cent of dogs were considered overweight or obese by veterinary surgeons. As well as being dangerous to a dog’s wellbeing, obesity in pets can add strain to health resources and result in substantial costs for their owners.

To tackle this, UK Pet Food partnered with Prof Webb to create a tool that would combine behavioural psychology with practical dietary advice so that dog owners could make informed decisions about their pet’s nutrition.

The first part of the tool asks users to complete a quiz titled ‘Who’s in charge when feeding your dog?”. The quiz explores the dynamics of feeding habits, while offering owners insight into their part in their dog’s dietary regimen.

They will then receive a personalised help sheet based on their quiz responses, which addresses situations where their dogs may be overfed or given too many treats.

Based on UK Pet Food’s knowledge of canine diets and Prof Webb’s knowledge of behaviour change, the help sheet aims to identify the triggers that lead to pet owner’s overfeeding and overtreating their dogs.

It will then support respondents with establishing practical strategies for healthy feeding routines, making informed choices when choosing food and promoting a balanced diet for their dog’s nutritional needs.

Sarah Hormozi, head of science and education at UK Pet Food, said: "We are committed to combatting pet obesity and fostering a better understanding of the importance of a healthy diet for dogs.

"Our collaboration with Professor Thomas Webb brings a fresh perspective to the problem, bridging the gap between human psychology and pet nutrition."

The tool is available to use on the UK Pet Food website.

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."