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Our pets keep getting fatter.
According to the latest released survey from the American Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), 53% of cats and 55% of dogs in the United States are currently struggling with being overweight or outright obese.
The survey, conducted with collaborator Banfield Pet Hospital (the nation’s largest chain of veterinary clinics), reveals that, despite numerous campaigns to end it, obesity continues to remain a rampant problem in the pet community.
“I think the results are consistent with what many veterinarians have been seeing for several years,” said Dr. Jeffrey S. Klausner, DVM, MS, DACVIM, senior vice president and chief medical officer for Banfield Pet Hospital. “The results suggest that, in many cases, past attempts to reduce obesity have not been very effective."
In an economy where money has been tight for the middle class, Klausner speculates that declining veterinary visits may be a source of the country’s rising pet obesity rates.
“Part of the problem may be that canine and feline visits to veterinarians have been decreasing in recent years. Clients may not be getting the information they need to deal with increasing weight in their pets. Many clients are not well informed regarding the negative health effects of obesity and, therefore, have no incentive to deal with the problem."
Despite the source of rising obesity, veterinarians seem to agree that education about the physical dangers of obesity through campaigning or otherwise are the best way to solve the problem at hand.
“Veterinarians have the responsibility to openly and candidly discuss excess weight during each appointment,” said Dr. Ernie Ward, founder of the APOP. “Pet owners shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions about what to feed their pets and tactics for keeping their pet healthy. Health is a shared responsibility between pet owners and veterinarians."
Klausner echoed the sentiments put forth by Ward.
“It is critical that pet owners become educated about the problem. I think with proper client education and frequent veterinary consults, the pet obesity problem can be reduced."
Despite optimism on behalf of vets, only time will tell if pets can win their version of the battle of the bulge.
Health & Home
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Well Anna, that is strictly your opinion. My view on the issue is maybe your country hasn't addressed the issue because they don't see it as a big issue. Pet obesity is an issue everywhere, not just America. Americans take great care of their pets, and i believe saying what you have said is extremely ignorant. In this day and age, the world is fast-paced. People do their best to make ends meet, which means working hours and hours a week. They do squeeze time in for their pets. Americans DO walk their pets 3-4 times a day and DO provide good, nutritional food. And who says we give them human food all the time? Most Americans don't condone that unless they provide their dog with a healthy, nutritional, home-made pet food, which in fact could be healthier than generic pet food. And my adult dog is overweight not because I "didn't walk her enough, or provide her with good food". It's because as she got older she developed joint and bone problems which has made it difficult and painful for her to move around.
Also, I have an adult dog named Muffy. She's overweight, and has diabetes because of her overweight issues. We've changed her diet to a diabetic formula, and she has lost quite a bit of weight. She's gone from 28 lbs, now to 23 lbs.She is a cocker spaniel/Pomeranean mix. I hope to see her continue to get healthy. She is 11 years old and absolutely amazing.
Also, I have an adult dog named Muffy. She's overweight, and has diabetes because of her overweight issues. We've changed her diet to a diabetic formula, and she has lost quite a bit of weight. She's gone from 28 lbs, now to 23 lbs.She is a cocker spaniel/Pomeranean mix. I hope to see her continue to get healthy. She is 11 years old and absolutely amazing.
I think not being able to afford good quality pet food is a factor, also. I've noticed our dogs put on weight when we've had to buy bargain food. I've tried making other adjustments in order to buy better food. Also, you would think that vets would offer more reasonable rates given the state of the economy. If anything, the prices have risen.
I hate this! This problem hardly exists in Sweden (of course it does, but it's not a big issue), probably because it's weird for us if a dog doesn't get four walks a day and good food. We take good care of pets, but I'm not saying that Americans don't. I just think you can get better at walking your dogs and stop giving them human food all the time!
Well Anna, that is strictly your opinion. My view on the issue is maybe your country hasn't addressed the issue because they don't see it as a big issue. Pet obesity is an issue everywhere, not just America. Americans take great care of their pets, and i believe saying what you have said is extremely ignorant. In this day and age, the world is fast-paced. People do their best to make ends meet, which means working hours and hours a week. They do squeeze time in for their pets. Americans DO walk their pets 3-4 times a day and DO provide good, nutritional food. And who says we give them human food all the time? Most Americans don't condone that unless they provide their dog with a healthy, nutritional, home-made pet food, which in fact could be healthier than generic pet food. That's all I have to say about your comment.