Staff at the RSPCA couldn’t believe their eyes when Alaskan malamute Trojan arrived in November 2020. It is but the ten-year-old dog’s weight was unlike anything they had seen before: he weighted 101 kilos, roughly the same as a baby elephant.
Kennel supervisor Nicola Anthony said, “Poor Trojan was in a terrible way when he arrived here a year ago. He was dirty, matted and unbelievably obese.
“It’s taken a year, a very special diet and an exercise regime to help him lose the weight slowly and safely; and he’s now almost half of his original weight. Thankfully, he hasn’t lost his big character!”
Trojan now weights a healthier 60 kilos, and is ready to find a forever home that will be attentive to his needs as an older, large breed dog.
Nicola added, “Trojan is arthritic and has thyroid problems so will need ongoing treatment in his new home. These conditions won’t be covered by any insurance so his new owners will need to be prepared to cover these costs.
“Although he’s in his twilight years, don’t let that fool you; he has no intention of ‘retiring’ any time soon! He is still strong and likes to go for short walks, plod around the garden and have a good sniff! He gets on really well with other dogs but doesn’t like being jumped all over so he’s best around calm, respectful doggy friends.
“We think he’d be best as the only dog in his new home so he can have all of the attention and affection; and he really deserves it!”
Speaking of the state Trojan was in when he arrived at the rescue centre, RSPCA chief veterinary officer Caroline Allen said, “Pet obesity is a serious welfare issue and recent studies have suggested that around half of all pet dogs are overweight. We are, quite literally. Obesity can affect all types of pets and the main causes are from eating too much or not exercising enough.
“As a rough guide (for cats and dogs), you should be able to see and feel the outline of their ribs without excess fat covering them. You should also be able to see and feel their waist and it should clearly ‘pinch in’ when you look down at them from above.
“Overweight pets can suffer from serious health problems such as heart disease and diabetes. Carrying more body weight can also increase the chances of pets suffering from conditions such as arthritis and can even shorten their life expectancy.
“If you’re worried about your pet’s weight, we’d recommend speaking to your vet before making any significant diet or lifestyle changes and ruling out any health conditions that may be affecting their weight.”