With her puppy dog eyes , Millie the cocker spaniel knows exactly how to persuade her owner to feed her a treat . She stares up , pleading for a morsel of food , and when her owner Jacqueline Maguire gives in , the dog waddles around wagging her tail in delight . But all those extra nibbles have added up - and now Millie is morbidly obese . Scroll down for video . Chubby : Millie the cocker spaniel weighs 74lbs - which is twice the average a dog of her breed should do . Heavy : At that weight , it is little surprise the prized pet is looking a little slow on her feet . Weighing in at nearly 74lb , she is twice the size of a healthy cocker spaniel . Vets say that Millie , who has now been put on a strict diet , is symptomatic of the ballooning British population of obese pets . According to a report published today by the People ’ s Dispensary for Sick Animals ( PDSA ) , there will be more overweight pets than healthy pets within five years . Some 80 per cent of vets surveyed by the charity reported an increase in obesity cases they had seen in the last two years . Mrs Maguire , 75 , from Romford , admitted that Millie put on weight because she is fed too much . She said her dog has perfected the begging routine - even doing a ‘ happy dance ’ when fed an extra treat . Fat : Bulldog Daisy , from Middlesbrough , is another of Britain 's heavy hounds . Portly : But it is not just a problem with dogs - Grace the giant rabbit also weighs far too much . All creatures great and small : As does Spider , the rotund rat , who was pictured by PDSA staff in Swansea . ‘ I do give in to her begging far too often , ’ Mrs Maguire said . ‘ I have four rescue cats and when I feed them she ’ s hovering around and grabs any food she can . I have to shut her in another room and feed them on the table . ‘ Even then , if I turn my back for a moment she ’ ll be straight in , she ’ ll steal and eat all the cats ’ food given the slightest chance. ’ According to a poll of 1,000 pet owners carried out by PDSA , nearly half do not realise weight is a problem for their pets . The problem is particularly acute for dogs . The estimate more than six million dogs - about 75 per cent - in the UK are exercised for less than an hour a day . The problem is getting worse , with fewer dogs than ever being properly exercised , fuelling an explosion in canine obesity . Warning : The PDSA says obesity is exploding within the dog population , although many owners do n't realise it is a problem . Poppy the pug ( pictured ) has been on a diet since she was rescued from a puppy farm . Diet : Tina , an overweight border terrier with PDSA veterinary nurse Laura Meiklejohn at Edinburgh . Chunky : Guy the cat weighed in a 10kg , or 22lb - medium sized cats should weigh about half that . Walkies : Bobby , a labrador from Dundee , could do with more exercise - like six million dogs in the UK . Separate research found that 2.7million - a third of British dogs - are not being given daily off-lead exercise , an increase of 600,000 since 2011 . Vets say obesity in animals creates the same health risks as it does in humans . Overweight pets develop deadly conditions such as heart disease , cancer and diabetes , as well as debilitating conditions including arthritis . Dr Philippa Yam , of Glasgow University ’ s School of Veterinary Medicine , said : ‘ It ’ s clear that pet obesity continues to be a major issue due to a lack of understanding about pets ’ welfare needs. ’ Running : Research has found that 2.7million - a third of British dogs - are not being given daily off-lead exercise . Duke the Labrador , pictured going for a stroll in Cardiff , weighs 61kg , but should be 28 to 30kgs . Hope : The owners of Zorro the cat from Dundee managed to get its weight under control once more . PDSA is encouraging owners to join its Pet Fit Club competition - an annual contest to help reduce animals ’ weight . Nicola Martin , head of pet health at PDSA , said : ‘ Our research has shown that pet obesity is a growing problem and that too many people are continuing to feed their pets inappropriate foods including takeaways , cake , cheese and chips and sadly many pets aren ’ t getting enough exercise . ‘ Over the past decade , Pet Fit Club has transformed the lives of some of the UK ’ s most obese pets , having helped nearly 100 animals shed over 60 stone so we are welcoming entries again and offering our expertise . ’
PDSA warning of an ' epidemic ' of obesity among the nation 's canines . # ##weight dogs are not given the recommended hour 's exercise a day . Overweight dogs develop conditions like heart disease , cancer and diabetes . The charity is now encouraging owners to continue its Pet Fit Club program . Helped nearly 100 animals shed more than 300 stone over the past decade .