CUT THE COOKIES Warning on portly pooches

IF you have overindulged over Christmas, the chances are your dog may have too.

It can be hard not to share tasty Christmas treats with them and even harder to fit in their regular walks when you are busy entertaining guests or visiting your relatives.

But well over a third of dogs in the UK are thought to be overweight, according to specialist grain-free dog food makers Canagan.

This is the most common health issue dogs have. Yet it is preventable.

The right weight for your dog depends on its breed. Whippets, for example, have a much narrower ideal weight range than Newfoundlands.

But there’s a healthy weight range for each breed and Canagan have a simple guide for owners to tell if their dog might have a problem.

Are the ribs, backbone or other bones visible?

Can you see the bones from a distance? If so, this could be a sign that your dog is underweight.

Can you barely see the rib cage

OUR vet Brian Faulkner, from Petplan, has 22 years’ experience and is a freelancer working all over the country. Send your questions to Brian at: Petplan, Great West House, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9DX or via Petplan’s Facebook page at facebook.com/

Petplanuk. or not at all? This could indicate that your dog is overweight.

Does your dog have a large or bloated stomach that hangs too low? This is another sign that they may be carrying a few too many pounds.

If you think your dog may be overweight they suggest you book a vet appointment. Some obesity is caused by underlying health conditions such as an underactive thyroid.

It is best to rule these out before embarking on a new exercise or dietary routine. Adding an extra 10 minutes on to your evening walk or buying a new toy to make them run, such as a launcher, can make a big difference.

Make sure to feed the right amount for what your dog should weigh, not what they do weigh.

Stop giving them snacks, no matter how much they plead.

A little treat here and there can soon add up to the equivalent of another meal during the day. If your dog eats dry food, set some aside for treats when weighing out their portion.

This way they still feel as if they’re being treated during the day but they’re not eating extra calories.

I TEND to keep my rabbits outside in their hutch but it’s getting very cold now. Should I bring the hutch inside or just leave it outside?

There’s no right or wrong answer to this. Wild rabbits survive extreme winters by digging a warm burrow. So as long as your rabbit can escape the wind from all directions and has adequate bedding to create a nest, it should be fine. But they must have ample food, especially long fibres such as hay. And, of course, make sure their water isn’t frozen.

If you have a story about wildlife email us at pets@people.co.uk