OBESITY IN DOGS AND CATS

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I thought this was very enlightening. The Association for Pet Obesity  And Prevention states that over half of the U.S' dogs and cats are obese! People don't pay attention to how much they feed their pets.  Here is the link:

http://www.petobesityprevention.com/how-fat-is-that-doggie-in-your-...

[Camilla and Darwin]

This is disturbing. I always feel sad when I see severely obese dogs, they look so slow and pained! That can't be good for their backs, at all. I agree that the easiest way is to just measure out your dog food, and limit treats.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I was pretty shocked at the numbers of obese pets. I have a friend who is a caring pet owner. She has even taken doggy massage classes, rescued dogs etc. but she overfeeds her dogs consistently. Why? "because they act so hungry and one of them would eat the other's food if she didn't give him more!" WTD is with that?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Perhaps these are the same people who have obese children. You know THAT is an "epidemic" too. Perhaps the same reasoning (or lack of) is behind both. Although I have no idea what that reasoning might be.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

But with children - at some point there can be sneaking of food, but with a pet, the human controls all that goes into that mouth (except socks, tissues, glasses, shoes.....) so while in some ways it is not worse (humans are more important) in others it IS worse because your pets depend upon you for everything.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I think it is part of an overall problem of weight in America. Statistics show that around 65% of American PEOPLE are overweight so it just falls in line that 50% of the pets are overweight too. The people that they depend on do not have the ability or desire to control that area of their lives and the pets are suffering for it. Overeating, poor food choices and lack of exercise for both people and their pets. The pets are another symptom of the "disease".

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Okay, adding to what I said above, I know that this is a gross generalization and that there are people who take better care of their animals than they do of themselves. I'm talking in broad terms and there are always exceptions. So don't beat me up too badly!! LOL!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

My dogs eat good. Starlit just helped me husk green beans from the garden. I hope we have enough to cook now. What a piggy this girl. I couldn't keep her away.
As for Obesity............. well I may just start eating Good Dog Food. My dogs look great. Maybe I should learn from them.

[F, Calla & Luca]

GMTA. have been thinking this for a long time.

[Donna K & Quincy]

For a lot of people when it comes to pets Food=Love.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Too true. As a teacher I am very aware of the obesity of children. So many of them are so inactive - they just sit and watch TV, talk on the phone (even 6 year olds, and play video games.
I just didn't realize that so many pets were fat. Our old Springer (12 years ago) was overweight but we didn't really realize it. We free fed her for her whole life and when she got old, she over-ate; but nowadays it seems that more people are aware and yet still overfeed.

[Richard Crowe]

Some folks get their "warm-fuzzies" by feeding their dogs. We have some rescues who would eat 24 hours a day if we let them. However, we don't allow them to send us on a guilt trip! We feed a certain amount and no more and are also quite conscientious about limiting their caloric intake via treats!

Holly eats 1.5 patties of Nature's Variety raw beef each day with only ocasional small treats in between. She is in absolutely tip-top shape. I will admit that she gets a lot of exercise because we have a large piece of property which is on a corner lot and which is fenced. Holly loves running the fence line to greet our neighbors.

BTW: I believe that the frequency of treats is more important than the quantity given. This is especially true with our rescues who need to be socialized. I can break a small size Milkbone into five or six pieces and these distributed over a time will do just as much good as six full Milkbones but, will contain 1/6 the calories.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

If I fed Peri enough to "satisfy" her, she would weigh 40+ pounds (she is 26 and looks healthy to me). I am a stickler for the measuring cup.