The most common form of malnutrition in pets in the UK is the overconsumption of calories leading to obesity.

It is estimated that between 39 and 52% of cats in the UK are overweight or obese, and this can shorten life expectancy through heart disease and diabetes as well as cause the cats ongoing discomfort and joint pain.

Certain factors can affect a cat’s predisposition to weight gain: purebred cats are less likely to develop obesity than moggies; neutered cats tend to gain weight more easily than entire animals because their metabolic rate decreases; and cats of a certain age are more prone to piling on the pounds.

Cats under two years of age are less likely to be overweight, whereas cats between two and 10 years require less energy and are, therefore, more likely to be overweight.

Senior and geriatric cats (cats of over 10 years of age) tend to be underweight.

Feeding a diet that is very palatable and energy dense predisposes cats to overeating and encourages obesity, especially if such foods are available freely or used excessively as treats.

’Dreamies’ for example, are a great way to show our feline friends how much we love them but they are packed with calories and should be given very sparingly.

Cats are carnivores and, unlike humans and dogs, they must have meat in their diet to survive.

A cat’s natural diet consisting of small prey mammals would be high in protein and low in carbohydrate.

In order for cats to lose weight, veterinary diets have been designed which are high in protein, low in fat and low in carbohydrate. Serving these meals in smaller quantities, more frequently, also mirrors a more natural way of eating and helps to burn calories.

In addition to a suitable diet, cats can be encouraged to exercise and be active through play, and by being given freedom of movement around the house and outdoors.

This is exactly what poor Stubbin needs. She is a 10-year-old Manx cat who has spent the last two years hiding under a bed because she was afraid of her owner’s dog.

This means she hasn’t had sufficient exercise and has become massively overweight.

Although medically she is relatively healthy, she clearly struggles to groom herself properly in the areas she can’t reach and she can’t display a cat’s normal fastidiousness about being clean.

Personality-wise she is incredibly sweet natured and craves attention, and likes nothing more than being stroked and fussed over. Ironically she has been very particular about her food since coming to the quarantine unit and then the main cattery, which is her way of showing that she’s stressed.

She will make the most perfect companion for someone who is prepared to be disciplined about her diet and who can provide her with a quiet home and the ability to roam and explore so that she can burn off some calories.

We have had several obese cats gifted in to us of late, but this trend doesn’t seem to be occurring in the dogs we take in. We record our rescue dogs’ weights weekly on a set of large scales, and so weight gain or loss can be monitored closely.

JT, the seven-year-old border collie who came to us a few months ago, is definitely not a ’fattie’ and he burns off a lot of calories through nervous energy.

He is a lovely, gentle dog but he just hasn’t clicked yet with his forever family. Please come and meet him if you have the time for an active, outdoorsy sort of dog.

Why not combine your visit with coming to the first birthday party for the four border collie puppies who were found last October tied up in a plastic bag?

It’s hard to believe they’re one already.

The party will be in our play barn and starts at 2pm on Sunday, October 1. There will be plenty of birthday cake for all our doggy visitors - healthy, low-fat cake made with wholesome ingredients such as liver and eggs!