One out of every three people in the world is overweight or obese. In other words: 2.2 billion people are more likely to suffer from health problems. In many cases, the rate of childhood obesity exceeds that of adults. Unfortunately, the number of overweight pets also increases year after year.
In fact, over the last ten years, the number of overweight dogs in the United States has increased by 158%. For cats, it's 169%. This confirms that obesity is the "number one" health problem for American pets.
The figures are part of a study conducted by the pet company Banfield Hospital and disseminated by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The study is based on data obtained from the 2.5 million dogs and 505,000 cats that were examined in 2016 at Banfield Hospital veterinary centers. It reveals the alarming figure that today one out of every three cats or dogs in the United States is overweight.
Causes of obesity
- Excessive food. This is often used by the owner as a sign of affection or a reward. This is a mistaken belief because, as we mentioned in this post, dogs prefer to be rewarded with words and affectionate gestures. But this also has serious consequences for their health. So we could say these are "poisoned" rewards.
- Inappropriate food. We must not forget that each life stage requires a specific type of food. A puppy does not have the same needs as a senior dog. In this post, we recall some things to keep in mind when choosing food for your ARISTODOG.
- Lack of daily exercise or physical activity. Sedentary lifestyle is a human ill that we are transferring to our animals. The pace of life of many people is not always compatible with responsible and conscious pet ownership. This affects their well-being.
- The normalization of overweight. There are so many cases of fat cats and dogs that this fact tends to be normalized. Some even consider it funny, worthy of tenderness or a smile. As if a chubby animal were "cuter". Once again, whoever does this is not thinking about their animal, but about themselves. Therefore, those responsible for the Banfield Hospital study warn that "while a plump dog or cat may be attractive to look at, carrying that extra weight can have serious consequences."
Consequences of overweight
We can say that the consequences of overweight and obesity for the health of pets are disastrous. Just as they are for the people who suffer from it.
Hypertension and heart diseases are common, but diabetes, arthritis, asthma, urinary incontinence, and dermatological problems also appear on the list of ailments.
Furthermore, overweight also has a significant impact on family finances. According to the study, owners of overweight dogs spend 17% more on veterinary care and 25% more on medication than those with fit animals. In the case of cats, expenses increase by up to 36%. In absolute figures, that's about $2,026 more per year for dogs and $1,178 more for cats.
How to combat "this epidemic"
The basic remedy for the problem of overweight in cats and dogs is the same as in humans: good nutrition and exercise. In this post we share with you some ideas for activities with your furry friends.
