Pet Fit Club: Chubby animals enter annual contest to shed unwanted pounds

Launched by UK animal charity PDSA, The Pet Fit Club aims to help overweight household pets gain a new lease of life by burning off the often debilitating weight.

Among the contestants is a larger than life rabbit called Grace who weighs 3.5kg and sports a double chin. Grace is 40pc larger than the average rabbit and muscles in on the food for the other rabbits and guinea pigs in her garden.

Research by the organisation found that four out of five vets in the UK observed an increase in the number of obese pets using their services.

The study also found that 61pc of pet owners in the UK regularly give their pets crisps, cake and takeaway which lends itself to pet obesity.

Also competing in the Pet Fit Club is 8-year-old pug Poppy who weighs 6.7kg despite the fact that the average weight for a pug is 5.5kg.

The chubbiest pet taking part is 4-year-old Cocker Spaniel Millie who is a whopping 109pc fatter than the average weight of other dogs of her breed.

A spokesperson from the PDSA said: “Millie’s eyes have always been rather too big for her belly, and the cheeky girl will steal any food she can get her paws on – even the cats’ food!

“She is also an expert beggar, using those puppy dog eyes at every opportunity, and even doing her own ‘happy dance’ when she gets her favourite treats.”