Four tips for stopping your pet becoming obese
We may think we are showing love for our four-legged friends by spoiling them with food and treats, but in fact we're doing them no favours
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention in the United States, more than half of the nation's cats and dogs are overweight. And just as worrying, more than 90 per cent of their owners don't recognise that their pet is carrying around extra pounds.
"People automatically think a fat cat is a happy cat," says Ernie Ward, owner of Seaside Animal Care in North Carolina. "But it's not cute. It's killing."
Ward founded the organisation in 2005 after realising many veterinarians were not talking to pet owners about obesity. Ten years later, he says, vets are finally having those necessary conversations.
"It's an emotional landmine," Ward says. "You don't know when you're going to step on the wrong button because people have a problem with questions [about how they're] feeding pets because we equate love with food and treats."
Like humans, pets become obese because of too much food and too little exercise, says veterinarian Eve Flores.
Overweight animals are more prone to health conditions, including arthritis and blindness.