Just How Cute Are Pudgy Pets?

May 26, 2016

by Natalie Secretan

It’s no secret that our pets are getting chunkier. Just take a look around you and you’ll see, there’s a pet obesity problem to match our own human epidemic! The problem is, we love spoiling our pets. We love rewarding them with food. And we know by the look in their sweet eyes that they feel loved when we make a special trip to the store for a bone.

An Estimated 58% of Cats and 54% of Dogs in the United States are Overweight or Obese – Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.

These findings are from a recent study conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). According to the lead veterinarian and founder of APOP, Dr. Ernie Ward:

“Pet obesity remains the leading health threat to our nation’s pets. We continue to see an escalation in the number of overweight cats and an explosion in the number of type 2 diabetes cases.”

It is a serious problem, and even though we feel good giving our pets treats, we’re only contributing to the problem. Diabetes is just one of the health issues your pet could face. Joint problems are another major concern, and the surgery is very expensive. Dr. Steve Budsberg, a surgical specialist from the University of Georgia said:

“Once again, our data shows that obesity is rampant and we are certainly setting up more and more dogs and cats for joint problems during their lives. This results in hundreds of millions of dollars in medical bills and countless surgical procedures for weight-related conditions. As a veterinary surgeon I find this extremely frustrating; this disease is easily treatable and even simpler to prevent. Feed your pet less, exercise them more, and see your veterinarian at least once a year.”

We’re not saying you can’t treat your pet – that’s just crazy! But we are saying that it’s all about balance and making sure your pet is eating a healthy diet. If you’re giving them treats, figure them into your pet’s diet plan and offset the calories and nutrients with how much food you give them.

Each pet requires a certain number of calories a day, depending on their breed, size, weight and lifestyle. These calories are broken down into proteins, carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins and minerals. If your pet’s diet is in balance and they eat enough of each macronutrient a day, then they should live a long and healthy life. Ultimately, that’s what we all want, for our pets to live “forever.”

If you’re not sure about your pet’s diet, ask your vet at your next annual visit. Your pet’s health could depend on it!

Sources

http://www.petobesityprevention.org/

https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/documents/obesity-poses-serious-health-hazards-to-pets

http://www.petobesityprevention.org/?s=labrador

Photo Credit: aaron_anderer