THOSE thinking about slimming down for a new year’s resolution could take inspiration from three pampered pets who shed a whopping 14.15 kilograms between them through a weight-loss clinic.
Simba, 14, and Elvis, 10, both cats, and Amber, a six-year-old Labrador, all from Edgware and Stanmore, were obese – weighing 9.2kg, 8kg and 36kg respectively.
But through food portion control and exercise they lost weight thanks to a helping hand from The Tubby Club, run by Goddard Vet Group in Whitchurch Lane, Edgware.
Veterinary nurse Lizzy Linley, 25, who runs the club, a free service to registered clients, said: “Substantial weight gain is a growing concern in practice and is a problem that, sadly, we are seeing more and more of.
“It’s never too late for pet owners to make a change though and Simba, Elvis, and Amber are great examples of how, with a little help, reaching a healthy weight can be easily achieved. I hope that their success stories inspire other owners to do the same for their pets.”
The club worked out a personal weight loss programme for each pet, looking at food portion control and exercise.
Ms Linley added: “With dogs exercise programmes are easier, but for cats we will sometimes put the food at the top of the stairs and make them run up to get it.”
Another member of the club was five-year-old Poppy, an Old English Sheep Dog, who was 46kg but lost more than 10kg.
Her owner, Anne Coyne, of Cornbury Road, Edgware said: “I am so pleased that she has lost so much weight, she has a new lease of life. Lizzy was really supportive.”
Simba, Elvis and Amber made it to the final 12 out of 117 in a national weigh-in club competition, making them stars of Royal Canin’s 2013 calendar, though none of them won the title.
