|
|
 |
Rising Levels of Obesity in Dogs and Cats In a study conducted in 2009, it was estimated that 34 million dogs and 54 million cats in the United States are overweight, which represents a 2% increase in the number of overweight dogs and a 5% increase in the number of overweight cats since 2007. According to Dr. Ernie Ward, lead researcher of the 2009 National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Study, many pet owners with overweight animals believe that their pets are normal. As Dr. Ward says: "When a pet owner looks at their chubby companion and views it as a normal, healthy weight, our nation's pets will continue to suffer the consequences of obesity."
Dr. Ward suggests that dog and cat treats are chiefly to blame, pointing out that the caloric equivalent of a pig ear to a 40 lb. (18 kg.) dog would be 72 ounces (2 litres) of soft drinks to an adult person. Many pet owners routinely reward their dogs and cats with food treats. In particular, food treats are used as positive reinforcement training aids. While this positive reinforcement does yield the desired behavioral results, if overdone the practice may turn our pets into ‘treat junkies'.
The results of this study confirms what veterinarians in Canada and the United States have observed as an obesity epidemic in their patients over the past number of years.
One positive note from the study is that 82 percent of pet owners do consider obesity to be a problem. Dr. Ward says the task now is to educate dog and cat owners about proper healthy weights for their pets and to teach them the best ways to deal with the issue.
Check out the Pet Health Section of our website for handouts on this and other related topics, or contact our clinic for individualized recommendations for your pet.
Caution: These news items, written by Lifelearn Inc., are licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written permission of Lifelearn Inc. Please note that the news information presented here is NOT a substitute for a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by our clinic veterinarian.
|
| |
|
|
