One in three people worldwide is overweight or obese. In other words: 2.2 billion people are more likely to suffer health problems. In many cases, the rate of obesity among children exceeds that among adults. Unfortunately, the number of overweight pets also increases year after year.
In fact, over the past ten years, the number of overweight dogs in the United States has increased by 158%. In the case of cats, by 169%. This confirms that obesity is the “number one” health problem among American pets.
The figures are part of a study conducted by Banfield Hospital for pets and shared 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 examined in 2016 at Banfield Hospital’s veterinary centers. It reports the alarming figure that today, one in three cats or dogs in the United States is overweight.
Causes of obesity
- Excess food. It is often used by the owner as a sign of affection or a reward. This is a mistaken belief because, as we already 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 that these are “poisoned” rewards.
- Inappropriate food. We must not forget that each stage of life requires a specific type of food. A puppy does not have the same needs as a senior dog. In this post, we review some things to keep in mind when choosing food for your ARISTODOG.
- Lack of exercise or daily physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle is a human problem that we are passing on to our animals. Many people’s pace of life is not always compatible with responsible and conscious pet ownership. This affects their well-being.
- Normalizing excess weight. There are so many cases of overweight cats and dogs that this situation tends to become normalized. Some people even consider it funny, something that inspires tenderness or brings a smile. As if a chubby animal were “cuter.” Once again, people who do this are not thinking about their animal, but about themselves. That is why the researchers at Banfield Hospital warn that “although a plump dog or cat may be visually appealing, carrying that extra weight can have serious consequences.”
Consequences of excess weight
We can say that the consequences of excess weight and obesity for pets’ health are disastrous. Just as they are for people who suffer from them.
High blood pressure and heart disease are common, but diabetes, arthritis, asthma, urinary incontinence, and dermatological problems also appear on the list of conditions.
In addition, excess weight also has a significant impact on household finances. According to the study, owners of overweight dogs spend 17% more on veterinary care and 25% more on medication than owners of fit animals. In the case of cats, expenses increase by up to 36%. In absolute figures, this amounts to about $2,026 more per year for dogs and $1,178 more for cats.
How to combat “this epidemic”
The basic remedy for excess weight in cats and dogs is the same as in humans: proper nutrition and exercise. In this post we share some ideas for exercising with your furry friends.
