Overweight pets including a cat so fat she got stuck in a child's safety gate are about to embark upon a six-month diet and exercise challenge.
The latest batch of recruits have been signed up to the PDSA Pet Fit Club, with the winner receiving a year’s supply of healthy food and an animal-friendly holiday.
The national competition sees each pet receive a plan tailored to their individual needs.
It has been running for 14 years and has helped more than 100 pets lose over 75 stone since 2005.
Luigi is 40 per cent overweight and will be joining eight other pets on the weight loss challenge which is now in its 14th year
This miserable-looking Labrador from St Helens, Alfie, is nearly double his ideal weight but should feel better soon
Chubby pugs Lucky and Percy (above) will be given special food and a healthier lifestyle after becoming overweight
Missi from Wolverhampton is 75 per cent overweight and will be taking on PDSA's Pet Fit Club competition to battle the bulge
Among this year's nine contestants is seven-year-old Alfie, a Labrador from Liverpool who is nearly double his ideal weight at 9st 7lb.
Alfie’s opponents include Bonnie, a spaniel from Blackpool whose penchant for sausage rolls has left her 7.7kg overweight, while Sox, a large cat from Gateshead, once got stuck in a child’s safety gate due to her size.
The pets will receive free weight management food from the SPECIFIC range during the competition, and will be overseen by the vet team at their local PDSA Pet Hospital.
Sparkx the cat is close to double her ideal weight and has been selected for the course which takes six months
Sox, whose excess waistline once caused her to get stuck in a child's safety gate, will be taking on PDSA's Pet Fit Club
PDSA vet Rebecca Ashman said Pet Fit Club is “a great example of what can be achieved if owners are dedicated and determined to help their pets live a healthier lifestyle”.
She added: “If owners are worried about their pet’s weight they should seek advice from their vet or vet nurse, who can also make sure pets are on the right type of diet, are being fed the correct amount,
