Fat dogs and cats swim for fitter life (From Worcester News)

Fat dogs and cats swim for fitter life

8:03am Wednesday 26th December 2007 in News By Alicia Kelly, @aliciakellyWN #worcsnews

IT's not just humans who need to lose a few pounds following Christmas - overweight cats and dogs are working off the excesses of the festive period at a new hydrotherapy centre in Evesham.

The Evesham Canine Hydrotherapy centre, which owner Ali Knight believes is the first of its kind in Worcestershire, will cater for pets with weight problems as well as those suffering from conditions such as dysplasia - which affects the animals' joints.

Mrs Knight said obesity levels among pets were rising and blamed owners for not providing the right lifestyle.

She said: "I think it's possibly the environment we live in and the fact that dogs get so many free treats these days. People love to treat their pets kindly, and possibly it's a lack of exercise as well.

"People have less time and our gardens are smaller too."

Mrs Knight said being overweight could affect an animal's joints, but exercising in water was very effective for both cats and dogs because it enabled them to work harder, during shorter spells. The water allows animals with joint problems to exercise far more comfortably than on hard pavements.

Mrs Knight set up the centre in Church Street after working with animals for 13 years through rescue kennels and by offering behavioural therapy for dogs.

The centre has a pool, measuring 15m (50ft) by 8m (25ft) which contains an underwater walker to support the animals as they exercise.