Fat camps offer 'pawlates' and 'doga' to help overweight pets slim down
More owners checking their overweight animals into specialist fat camps
It's not just a people problem. Growing rates of obesity in pets have led to the emergence of fat farms offering "pawlates", "doga" and "Barko Polo" - canine versions of Pilates, yoga and Marco Polo, a tag game played in a swimming pool - to help slim down man's best friend.
In the United States, 53 per cent of dogs are overweight or obese, up from 45 per cent four years ago. In cats, the figure is almost 58 per cent, said Dr Ernie Ward, a vet and founder of the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention in Calabash, in the state of North Carolina.
Fat pets can suffer diabetes, joint problems, heart disease and decreased life expectancy, just like obese people, he said.
Most luxury pet hotels and spas nationwide will customise a fitness programme for a pudgy dog or cat, but only a few facilities have fat camps for large groups.
For golden retriever Ceili, it was easy to fatten up when living with a boy who pushed tasty morsels over the edge of his high chair. It led Eileen Bowers, of New Jersey, to sign up 50kg-plus Ceili for a five-day fitness camp at the state's Morris Animal Inn.
Besides the "pawlates", the camp was filled with swimming, nature hikes, treadmill trots, facials, massages and healthy treats like organic granola, string beans and carrots. It was designed to give Ceili and 40 other dogs a head start on a healthier life, said Debora Montgomery, the Animal Inn's spokeswoman.