ACCEPTED: we are a nation of dog lovers. But are we beginning to go just a wee bit too far in the pampering of our pets?

Forget the Winalot and Chappie. In the face of a dog obesity epidemic – 52% of our pets are obese or ­overweight – it’s time to start home-cooking for the mutt in your life. Step forward cookery author Annabel Karmel, who, alongside Tails.com and vet Sean McCormack, has created the nation’s first dog recipe book to help pet owners cook healthily for their animals, without causing them to pile on the pounds.

As well as treats for celebrations like Halloween, winter stews and a Christmas “Yule Dog”, the book includes a birthday cake, iced treats to keep Fido cool in the summer and a Sunday roast. This is certainly a fresh take on a dog’s dinner.

McCormack said: “Annabel and I are so excited to launch this collection of recipes. I’ve designed each one to help owners make treats that are not just delicious for dogs, but are also correctly balanced to deliver nutritionally. We think they’ll definitely get tails wagging across the UK!”

According to the blurb on Amazon: “From hot cross buns to one-pot stews, The Happy Dog Cookbook is full of irresistible inspiration. The 24 recipes are arranged by season and include plenty of tips on choosing the best dog-friendly ingredients as well as ways to tailor each recipe to your dog’s dietary needs.”

The book is a bargain at £14.99. Or you could donate the cash to your local food bank.

Once you’ve attended to the dug’s dietary requirements, why not turn your attention to sartorial considerations. Try as you might to avoid Christmas adverts, it’s hard to miss that terrible M&S production featuring an array of jumpers, some less ugly than others. The best of the collection appears to be one sported by a dog.

Further research on this matter reveals that this is not unusual, with retailers from Sainsbury’s to Primark also boasting lines in canine knitwear.

Online shop Missguided is going one better, though. Apparently, turtleneck season is officially upon us, or so says the internet. And now you and your four-legged friend can cut a dash in matching outfits. Choose from a “grey rib knitted dog hoodie with ear detail on hood” (£12) and pair with a “grey chunky cable knit short cardigan with hood detail” for her (£35). For even more festive cheer, these cheeky little numbers are also available in red. If you are after a more traditional look, there’s a classic white knit and a chunkier camel piece, with matching dog versions, of course.

The fashion e-tailer has also brought out a Christmas pudding knit and striped reindeer hoodie, but sadly these are available in dog sizes only. Obviously, there are certain taste boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed.

Meanwhile, Disney has launched a range of matching Christmas jumpers for the whole family. There’s Donald Duck for Dad, Minnie Mouse for Mum and various matching children’s versions for the mini-mes. To round off the family affair, the dog jumper sports an image of Pluto. See what they’re doing there?

Ripping yarns, indeed. Or is it all just a shaggy dog tale?