Worryingly, nearly a quarter (24%) of owners were not given any advice on any aspect of health or welfare when they got their pet. Many people appear to have no idea about the costs and long-term commitments involved when taking on a pet but all owners are responsible for the duty of care to any of their pets.

Sadly pet obesity is now one of the major issues affecting pet health in the UK. It's often unrecognised by pet owners, who may not notice gradual weight gain, or may simply regard a chubby pet as cuddly and well-fed. Yet, as with us humans, obesity is linked to serious problems such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and a shorter life expectancy.

An out of control dog can have potentially fatal consequences, so dog aggression is a serious issue that nobody can ignore. But what is really causing this problem and, perhaps more importantly, what can be done to solve the issue?

The bond between people and their pets is so strong that often it's difficult to resist those pleading eyes asking for food when we're eating our dinner. But have you thought about the consequences of your pet being overweight?