Although people like to believe that lazy dogs and fat cats are cute and cuddly and affectionable, you should consider that obesity and immobility are not traits you wish for your pet. A recent study has shown that obesity and immobility are not desirable traits for pets. Obesity isn’t just a problem for people anymore, it’s also a problem for pets..
Dr. Kirk Breuninger is the principal veterinary researcher. A recent Banfield Pet Hospital study According to pet owners, obese and overweight pets are passing on their unhealthy lifestyles and excess weight to their “fur babies”.
“We have observed that in the past ten year, obesity and overweight in cats and dogs has increased from 160 to 170%.”
Fluffy, your Great Dane, won’t be able to walk by herself. Fluffy can’t cook dinner for herself. Fluffy will eat cheese puffs if you tell her that dinner is cheese puffs. [1]
The changing attitudes of Americans towards their pets is a result of the pet-pumping trend. These days, people consider their pets their children (guilty as well). If the environment is not healthy overall, cats and dogs will pick up on it and develop similar behaviors.
Breuninger said:
“We are beginning to consider pets as family members and we love to show our affection by giving them treats. It can be easy to give too many treats to pets in one day.”
You don’t want your pet to suffer if you love them. However, being overweight or obese can cause the same health issues as overweight people, such as painful conditions like arthritis or Type 2 diabetes. These issues can also be extremely expensive.
Breuninger explained:
We will be seeing heart disease and respiratory diseases, for example. Type 2 diabetes will be a problem for cats who are overweight. We can also see hyperthyroidism and arthritis as possible consequences of being overweight.
How to Tell if your pet is overweight and what to do
How do you know if your pet is a bit too pudgy? Breuninger says that a noticeable tuck should be seen at the waist of your pet. You should be able feel their ribs from the side.
It doesn’t take much to help your pet lose weight. It’s easy to do. Reduce your intake of treatsReduce the amount of food your dog eats and ensure that they get a walk every day. Different cat breeds weigh differently so consult your veterinarian to determine how much weight your cat should be and what diet is best for them.
Believe it or not, you can walk your cat on a lead. My cat almost ripped my face off when I first put her in a harness. But maybe yours will be a bit less “Freddie Krueger” than mine. Kitties do need at Minimum Play time for children should be at least 10 minutes per day These are very specific. (But amusing, cute, I promise.
Said Breuninger:
Overweight pets have been linked to more than 20 diseases. Although some might say that a pet’s appearance is cute if they are plump or pudgy, the fact that pets are overweight can lead to more serious diseases.
There are a few factors that can lead to pets becoming overweight. One is not enough exercise for pets, too many pets eating, and pet owners who consider their pets part of the family using treats as a way of communicating with them. [2]
Sometimes, a pet’s weight problems can be caused by Thyroid problems or intestinal worms. It is important to not allow your pet to lead a life of misery.
Even small changes can have long-lasting effects. Even a small change can make a huge difference. If you think about it, you may feel tired and unmotivated if you don’t exercise enough. We have also seen pets feel this way.
The States with the Most Portly Pets
According to the Banfield report, dogs who live in these states are some of the most chunky:
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Michigan
- Idaho
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Washington
- Utah
- Indiana
- Oregon
These are the states that have the most fat cats.
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Delaware
- Michigan
- Nevada
- Kansas
- Utah
- New Mexico [3]
Sources:
[2] USA Today