Since 2007, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) annually surveys and reports their findings on the obesity statistics of the U.S. pet population. 2018, APOP reported 55% of dogs and 59% of cats were either classified as overweight or obese. That number had held relatively steady over the past five years.
We know pet parents aren’t doing this on purpose. Most people can’t tell if their dog or cat is overweight, especially on long hair or fluffier breeds.
One thing is for sure, being overweight can lead to a number of health problems that will not only shorten a pet’s life span but also affect their quality of life. Below are the more common ailments caused from being overweight or obese.
It’s estimated that American pet parents spend upwards of 100+ million dollars in medical expenses that could have been avoided by helping your pets stay at an optimal weight. Imagine what owners could save by switch from human food treats to leaner dog treats. It’s financially worth serious consideration to make better nutrition and lifestyle decisions for your pet.
The knee jerk reaction to help your pet lose weight is to decrease food, but too little food can be just as dangerous as too much food. Talk to your veterinarian about options to help your pooch shed the extra pounds. There are a lot of dog foods on the market that claim to help with weight loss, and it’s hard to tell what brands are reputable or misleading. Your veterinarian will better understand what your specific breed will need to lose extra pounds and help maintain its optimal weight.
Increase the amount of exercise your pet gets. This could mean longer walks or more walks during the day. You may also consider play dates with neighbor dogs or sending your dog to day camp for increased exercise and social time.
We know how hard it can be when those wide, pleading eyes are begging for some of your delicious crackers or pepperoni sticks, but a little tough love can go a long way to helping your pet live a better, healthier life.