I was very pleased to hear on the radio that during lockdown more people have taken up running than ever before (apparently the number of people downloading the “Couch to 5k” app has doubled in the last two months). I have been a runner for years and love nothing more than to head off into the hills with Choco (my Border Terrier) at my side. In the last few months it has been a godsend to be able to take Choco running – not just for sanity during Covid-19 – but also to stop him getting terribly fat… and the reason for Choco being at risk of weight gain recently? …simple, three boys being at home all day.

With my sons not in school Choco’s snack intake has gone up hugely. Anyone that has lived with teenage boys will know that their food intake is massive, as is their ability to give a little bit of what they are having to the dog. This is not a problem when it is a little bit of veg but does become a problem when it is part of a bacon bap. Border Terriers are incredibly greedy so there is virtually nothing that Choco will turn down.

Choco is not the only dog to have gained weight during lockdown, we are seeing both ends of the spectrum – dogs that have slimmed down as they are getting more walks than ever and dogs that have got bigger because, like in our house, everyone is at home giving them snacks. It all boils down to that simple equation of calories in and calories out and we owners have to be the ones that try and keep that balance correct.

By local vet Alice Moore