Four fat Scottish pets who are carrying an extra nine stone between them have been enrolled in a fit club.
Podgy dogs Nyah, Rico and TJ and cat Ziggy are all taking part in the PDSA?s annual slimming competition.
All of them are more than 50% overweight, with moggy Ziggy a staggering 126% heavier than he should be.
They will all be given a new diet and exercise plan for the next six months to help them battle the bulge.
Vet Andrew Hogg said: "Pet obesity can have very serious consequences to health and expected lifespan.
"Overweight pets have a lower quality of life, are at risk of health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, and are likely to die sooner.
"But by following a diet and exercise plan, this situation can easily be reversed."
Ziggy
Ziggy lives with his owner Kevin Harkins in Sunnybank, Aberdeen.
The seven-year-old began to pile on the weight two years ago when his treat habit started to get out of control. It was only when Mr Harkins? sister fed the cat while he was on holiday that he realised how big the animal was.
Weighing in at 1st 8lbs, Ziggy is more than double the size he should be. His 64cm waist means he cannot get up on windowsills and has problems grooming himself.
Mr Harkins said: "My hope is for Ziggy to get his weight under control, to be healthier, happier and more active."
Nyah
Ten-year-old Cocker Spaniel Nyah tips the scales at 4st 10lbs, 56% overweight. A combination of fatty treats and lethargy brought on by her epilepsy medication has led to her piling on the pounds.
Her owner, Catherine Jeng, from Knightswood, Glasgow, said she is guilty of feeding Nyah biscuits and bread crusts but is determined to curb the unhealthy eating.
She said: "I want Nyah to have a better and longer life, reduce her medication for epilepsy and also hopefully increase her activity levels. We love her to bits and we want her to be happy."
Rico
Rico, a six-year-old Rottweiler, was underweight and malnourished when her family first took her on.
After four years of treats, she now weighs in at 9st 12lbs, 80% heaver than she should be.
Owner George Livingstone, from Whitburn, West Lothian, said the family will have to learn to say no to her big brown eyes.
He said: "It would be great to get Rico slimmer and healthier. Also, if she?s in better health she will have more years of fun ahead and it will give her a longer lifespan, meaning we?ll have many more happy years with her."
TJ
Staffordshire Bull Terrier TJ is morbidly obese and tips the scales at 5st 5lbs, 70% overweight. Her weight problems were made worse by a leg injury she got while chasing a cat six years ago.
But now the 15-year-old from Edinburgh has cut her favourite food, chocolate, from her diet as she tried to shed the pounds.
Owner Katy Visentin said: "She doesn't steal food but you have to be careful around chocolate.
"Last year she managed to get hold of a chocolate Easter egg and knocked over a cup of coffee trying to reach it. She?s also managed to get her paws on a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates in the past.
"If she?s done something wrong she looks guilty and won?t come to see you when you arrive home."
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