No more walkies for pedigree bums as World's first dog stairlift is developed



They may be man's best friend, but some dog owners have been throwing their hungry hounds a few too many bones as hundreds of the UK's favourite pets are being turned into bloated bowwows.

While there may still be a few starving strays on the streets, it would appear that for many pampered pooches the 21st century dog's life involves a lot of eating.

Dog obesity is dramatically on the rise, with insurance company More Than predicting that over half of the nations dogs will be overweight by 2022.

Extra layers of 'puppy' fat can put pressure on an animal's back and cause a plethora of bone, respiratory and skin conditions which can render a pet unable to climb a set of stairs.



That's why munching mutts could soon give a whole new meaning to the term 'doing it doggy style' - taking a gentle ride on a dog stairlift.

Dog tired: Chunky the bulldog hitches a ride up the stairs on the World's first stair lift for overweight pooches

Although it is still in the prototype phase manufacturers hope the £5,000 doglift will be be taken on by a big company and developed for a growing market.

Chunky, pictured above, certainly wasn't working like a dog when he took a ride up the new elevator.

The machine has been made with mutts in mind as it features a special 'paw push' start button situated close enough to the ground for the animal to reach with an outstretched leg.

Pets can clamber into the plastic basket which then raises several feet off the floor before carrying the four-legged passenger up the stairs.



Dog eat hog world: Chunky the bulldog is pictured waiting for a ride up the dog stairlift

THE SHOCKING STATS ABOUT BRITAIN'S DUMPY DOGS AND FAT CATS

There are currently an estimated 8.3 million dogs in the UK and 11.92 million cats. Approximately 37 per cent of cats and 35 per cent of dogs are classed as overweight

The number of overweight dogs rose by 37 per cent between 2006 and 2011 with the figure reaching a collar-busting 2.9 million last year.

If dog obesity continues to increase at the current rate for the next five years there will be approximately 3.8 million obese dogs in the UK by 2016, that's 46 per cent of the current dog population.

The proportion of obese cats has risen significantly over the last ten years with a whopping 5kgs set to become the average weight for a moggy by the year 2020.

Obesity is the consequence of an inappropriate diet and a lack of exercise. It is believed that around 12 million pets are regularly fed fatty treats including crisps, chocolate, takeaways, cheese and even cake.

Fish and chips is the most 'human' meal to be regularly fed to dogs and cats with 45 per cent of cat and dog owners admitting to having fed the classic dish to their animals.

Nearly three quarters (72 per cent) of dog and cat owners allow their animals to eat the leftovers of unhealthy human foods on a regular basis with dogs being more indulged than cats.

One in four owners say they treat their pets to unhealthy foods because they just cannot say no. A further 41 per cent say they feed their pets unhealthy snacks because they don't believe it will cause any harm.

