Humans aren't the only ones that need to worry about obesity. Our pets do
too. Dr. Larsen is in to talk about what can cause obesity in our pets and what
we can do to prevent it.
What percent of the pet population is considered overweight?
50 percent of our pets are overweight, and that number continues to rise. In
the last 5 years obesity in dogs has increased by 37 percent, while obesity in
cats has increased by 90 percent.
What is causing our pets to gain weight?
In most cases pet owners are the main contributors in their pet's obesity.
Most pet owners give their pets lots of treats and try to find the food their
pet will eat best. Both the treats and the pet foods have been loaded with
fats, carbohydrates and sugars to make them more palatable to our pets. The
poor nutrition found in our pet's food and treats, combined with an over
abundance of both, is the reason our pets are gaining weight.
Is the food or the treats our pets receive the bigger threat?
Both, when eaten in excess, will lead to weight gain. However, the treats we
give our pets pack the fattest punch. Many treats sound low in calories to us
humans, but to a dog or cat that 20 calorie treat is a lot. And, not only are
they high in calories, but most pet owners don't stop at one or two. That adds
up and leads to our pets becoming overweight.
What risks are associated with obese pets?
Pets that are overweight have hearts that have to work harder, causing
stress on their hearts. They also are more likely to develop diabetes, arthritis,
pancreatitis, and other health problems. This all leads to pets that might not
live as long as their non-obese counterparts.
All this can be avoided just by controlling how much your pet is eating and
reading the nutritional information on their food and treats.
