Britain's obesity epidemic is now affecting your pets! Now there are nearly 36,000 dogs with type 2 diabetes because they are overweight
- Nearly four out of every 1,000 dogs in the UK are now battling the condition
- In comparison, the rate of type 2 diabetes among dogs was just 3.4 in 2014
- Diabetes experts have today slammed the surge of cases, shown in a report
Britain's obesity epidemic has triggered a surge in the number of dogs diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, experts have warned.
Damning figures suggest nearly four out of every 1,000 dogs in the UK, roughly 35,600, are now battling the condition.
In contrast, the rate of type 2 diabetes among dogs was just 3.4 in 2014, according to estimates published by leading vets.
Diabetes experts have today slammed the surge, warning it is 'clear proof' bulging waistlines are to blame and that owners are killing their pets with kindness.
She may look adorable. But Hatty's chubby frame has left her at a heightened risk of type 2 diabetes
According to the latest available statistics from the Royal Veterinary College in 2016, 3.6 out of every 1,000 dogs had developed the condition.
But a firm which compiled the statistics in a new report fears this is likely to have risen even further because of Britain's obesity crisis.
Chris Chapman, group director of GlucoRx, warned it was likely that the figure is now 'much closer to four - or even higher'.
He told MailOnline: 'These figures are clear proof Britain's obesity epidemic, which is only getting worse, is having an effect on our pets.
'They may be known as man's best friend but that doesn't mean poor eating habits and laziness should be passed down onto them.
'It is unfair on them to be diagnosed with the condition, which could claim their life or even see them need amputations because of complications.'
The data was compiled in the first ever 'Diabetes in Dogs' report, by Guildford-based company GlucoRx.
It estimates a total of 542,900 dogs in the UK are obese – a known driver of type 2 diabetes in both humans and animals.
Data from the campaign group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) suggests there are 8.9million dogs living in the UK.
Number-crunching in the report estimated that this meant 32,040 hounds across the home nations had type 2 diabetes in 2016 - up from 30,260 in 2014.
In response to the damning figures, Guildford-based GlucoRx has launched a blood glucose meter specifically calibrated for dogs and cats.
A survey of hundreds of vets conducted by a pharmaceutical company earlier this month revealed that one in every 200 cats has type 2 diabetes.
Blood glucose meters originally designed for humans are often used by pet owners to measure dogs, despite being inaccurate.
GlucoRx group director Chris Chapman told MailOnline blood glucose concentration can be much higher in dogs than humans.
He said: 'If human blood glucose meters are used for pets, the meter will calculate the glucose level based on human blood composition.'
Mr Chapman warned this could lead to underestimated results – meaning vets could miss type 2 diabetes, which can prove fatal, in dogs.
In response to the damning figures, Guildford-based GlucoRx has launched a blood glucose meter specifically calibrated for dogs and cats
One of the major reasons why the meters are inaccurate in dogs is because the distribution of glucose is different between humans and animals.
For instance, around 60 per cent of glucose in humans is located in their plasma - the main part of blood. This figure is around 90 per cent for dogs.
Pet glucometers, as they are known, already exist. But GlucoRx is hoping to raise more awareness about the need for accurate results in dogs.
Mr Chapman said ensuring dogs get the right blood glucose results could 'boost their longevity'.
Mr Chapman added: 'Pets are increasingly being treated as a member of the family and, without realising, owners are killing them with kindness.
'Some common human foods are toxic to pets and even those that aren't can cause harm in terms of providing extra calories that lead to weight gain and obesity.'
Britain was earlier this summer named and shamed as the third fattest nation in the EU, with two thirds of adults deemed overweight.
Obesity is known to raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as heart disease, stroke, dementia, joint and back problems and cancer.
Often thought of as harmless, type 2 diabetes is a hidden killer and can lead to heart failure, blindness, kidney disease and leg amputations.
Figures suggest there are 380million sufferers worldwide. In Britain this has topped 3.8million, an amount that continues to rise.
Children as young as nine in Britain are now even being treated for the condition, proven to be reversible by losing weight, as a consequence of the obesity crisis.
Type 2 diabetes is caused by having too much glucose in the blood because the body's way of turning it into energy is not working properly.
As the condition progresses, sufferers often need to maintain a healthy diet, exercise and a combination of medications to manage it.
Controlling blood sugar levels are also considered to be the key to reducing the risk of life-changing complications for those already diagnosed.
Most watched News videos
- Terrifying moment driver overtakes van and narrowly avoids crash
- Sally Nugent hilariously finds out 'hedgehog' is a hat bobble
- Starmer and Rayner embrace as they launch election campaign
- Three men seen running out of Beckenham station after knife attack
- 'Satan took over me': Hamas terrorist confesses of raping woman
- Heartless criminals steal van terminally ill boy uses
- Camilla hands out gifts at Royal Maundy ceremony on behalf of King
- Tourist is filmed napping in his tent on the beach with a crocodile
- Hilarious moment King's Guard shout 'make way' at pigeons in London
- Police carry slingshots to defend themselves against crazed monkeys
- Russian plane spiralling out of control crashes in sea in Crimea
- Queen Camilla greets children after traditional Maundy service