As the waistline of the American population grows, so, too, it seems, does the size of our dogs and cats. In fact, according to a recent study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, the majority of pets in the United States are suffering from obesity, a problem that presents health risks that are just as dangerous for pets as they are for pet parents.
According to myriad studies and statistics, about 54 percent of America’s pets are overweight, and about 25 percent of dogs and 21 percent of cats are seriously obese. The health risks are the same for pets as for humans – Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and respiratory disease, osteoarthritis, kidney disease, cancer and a decreased life expectancy.
According to myriad studies and statistics, about 54 percent of America’s pets are overweight, and about 25 percent of dogs and 21 percent of cats are seriously obese. The health risks are the same for pets as for humans – Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and respiratory disease, osteoarthritis, kidney disease, cancer and a decreased life expectancy.
Underlying Issues
The reasons for the increased size of our pets are easy enough to pinpoint for experts, who suggest that with the increase in video game popularity, kids are less likely to take Rufus for a walk or play fetch in the backyard, leading to dangerous weight increases for both kids and pets. Add to the mix fast food, high-calorie snacks and limited movement, and both kids and pets are at risk of serious obesity.
And pets don’t have to eat the same snacks to be in danger of eating too much.
That’s in part because many contemporary pet foods on the market mirror the American restaurant industry, and feature more calories than they once did. And in the same vein, as restaurant and convenience food portion sizes grow, more and more Americans are mirroring the growth spurt by increasing the size of the meals they serve their pets, as well.
A Voice for Overweight Pets Emerges
Amid this serious issue is a celebrity who is hoping to raise awareness of the pet obesity problem is Allison Sweeney, host of the top TV weight loss show “The Biggest Loser” and a longtime actress on the daytime soap opera “Days of Our Lives.” Sweeney helping her Boston terrier, Winky, drop a few pounds after she learned during a trip to the vet that Winky was overweight.
Although Sweeney learned that her dog was only two pounds overweight, for a small dog who only weighed 19 pounds, those two extra pounds made a big difference.
Sweeney learned that skipping the table scraps and getting more exercise were critical to Winky’s weight loss, and she found different ways to show her love and affection for her dog rather than feeding her treats.
If you, like many pet owners, are unable to tell if Rufus is overweight or obese, the back ribs of a healthy dog should be slightly visible and the waistline is clearly visible when looking at it from above. If ribs are hard to see and feel, see a vet to confirm if your dog is overweight. Some breeds are naturally a little thicker in the middle than others.
Some Suggestions to Get Rufus’s Boyish Figure Back
Try cutting back daily food by a third or a fourth to start, expecting to see changes in about three or four weeks. If your beloved canine shows no significant weight loss, but since this can lead to heightened begging from hungry pups, try switching to a higher quality dog food to help bring his weight under control. Many of the low quality ones, such as those found in the supermarket, have more empty calories, thanks to the filler the manufacturers use.
Cutting back on treats, which tend to be higher in calories, or break them into pieces so neither you nor Rufus feels as if treating is being restricted. One additional tip to consider is to pack food items in a toy like a Kong, which puts your dog to work and makes food last longer by slowing down the meal, which will leave her satisfied with less food.
It’s important to pay attention to the weight problems in our pets, especially if we want them to remain valued members of the family as long as possible.
The reasons for the increased size of our pets are easy enough to pinpoint for experts, who suggest that with the increase in video game popularity, kids are less likely to take Rufus for a walk or play fetch in the backyard, leading to dangerous weight increases for both kids and pets. Add to the mix fast food, high-calorie snacks and limited movement, and both kids and pets are at risk of serious obesity.
And pets don’t have to eat the same snacks to be in danger of eating too much.
That’s in part because many contemporary pet foods on the market mirror the American restaurant industry, and feature more calories than they once did. And in the same vein, as restaurant and convenience food portion sizes grow, more and more Americans are mirroring the growth spurt by increasing the size of the meals they serve their pets, as well.
A Voice for Overweight Pets Emerges
Amid this serious issue is a celebrity who is hoping to raise awareness of the pet obesity problem is Allison Sweeney, host of the top TV weight loss show “The Biggest Loser” and a longtime actress on the daytime soap opera “Days of Our Lives.” Sweeney helping her Boston terrier, Winky, drop a few pounds after she learned during a trip to the vet that Winky was overweight.
Although Sweeney learned that her dog was only two pounds overweight, for a small dog who only weighed 19 pounds, those two extra pounds made a big difference.
Sweeney learned that skipping the table scraps and getting more exercise were critical to Winky’s weight loss, and she found different ways to show her love and affection for her dog rather than feeding her treats.
If you, like many pet owners, are unable to tell if Rufus is overweight or obese, the back ribs of a healthy dog should be slightly visible and the waistline is clearly visible when looking at it from above. If ribs are hard to see and feel, see a vet to confirm if your dog is overweight. Some breeds are naturally a little thicker in the middle than others.
Some Suggestions to Get Rufus’s Boyish Figure Back
Try cutting back daily food by a third or a fourth to start, expecting to see changes in about three or four weeks. If your beloved canine shows no significant weight loss, but since this can lead to heightened begging from hungry pups, try switching to a higher quality dog food to help bring his weight under control. Many of the low quality ones, such as those found in the supermarket, have more empty calories, thanks to the filler the manufacturers use.
Cutting back on treats, which tend to be higher in calories, or break them into pieces so neither you nor Rufus feels as if treating is being restricted. One additional tip to consider is to pack food items in a toy like a Kong, which puts your dog to work and makes food last longer by slowing down the meal, which will leave her satisfied with less food.
It’s important to pay attention to the weight problems in our pets, especially if we want them to remain valued members of the family as long as possible.
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