Obesity in Shropshire pets will reach epidemic levels higher than the number of overweight children, if people do not stop over-feeding their animals, county experts warned today.

Staff at Haygate Veterinary Centre in Wellington have opened a weight clinic for fat pets after they saw an increasing number too heavy to leave the house. Veterinary nurse Rebecca Plumridge said the pet slimming club had saved lives.

But she fears there are many more pets at risk with owners who are too ashamed to take action.

Miss Plumridge said since the launch of the clinic in Wellington 18 months ago, 42 cats and dogs had lost 35 stone between them.

One dog, Major, was 26.5kg when he started the clinic and is now a healthy 19kg, while Sweetie the cat dropped from 5.6kg to 4.1kg.

Miss Plumridge said: “With the weather being so bad I am sure there are a lot more pets not getting outdoor time as they should do.

“We have seen a whole lot of overweight pets but I have got nine at the moment that have already reached their target weight.

“In 2005 it was about 50 per cent of pets which were overweight but now it’s reached about 70 per cent.

“If we do not something about it urgently it will get to an epidemic.”

She said people thought there was a stigma attached to asking for help but said it was essential people got professional help.

“Some people come in with dogs which cannot move because of arthritis and they are willing to pay £50 a month on tablets but not willing to come to a free clinic to illuminate the problem,” she said. “The clinics could stop them having to be put down.”

Miss Plumridge said one dog was diagnosed with diabetes from being so overweight and would have died from heart problems if it had not shed the pounds.

But she said the biggest health problem was people feeding their pets treats.

She added: “Giving a cat a layer of milk in a saucer is the equivalent of us eating five chocolate bars and half a slice of toast is the same as us eating a burger. Whatever diet they go on, they have to cut out the treats.”

The surgery has extended its free weight clinics to branches in Oakengates, Muxton and Madeley.

By Kirsty Marston