13 Oct 2023

Pet obesity is a bigger problem than you think

From Afternoons, 1:35 pm on 13 October 2023

When a cat called Harry arrived at the Dunedin SPCA, he tipped the scales at 11.72 kilograms. That's nearly three times the weight that he should have been.

But our next guest says that although people want to spoil their pets - and find fat cats very cute - they're shortening their lives.

Our pets are getting bigger in New Zealand. A study by the SPCA's science team found that more than one in five cats are overweight or obese.

Dr Alison Vaughan is the SPCA's Scientific Officer. She joins Jesse to break down this issue.

red fat cat lying on his back on the pavement

Photo: 123rf