According to a large study conducted in 2011 by Banfield Pet Hospital, the rates of obesity have increased over the last five years, 37% in dogs and 90% in cats. These are staggering figures! Yet a whopping 76% of dog owners and 69% of cat owners believe that their pet is at an ideal weight!
Carrying extra weight increases the risk for a whole host of health problems. In 2009, VPI Pet Insurance policyholders filed more than $17 million in claims for conditions and diseases that can be caused by excess weight.
If your pet is overweight making an effort to increase their daily exercise while reducing their volume of food will help them to shed some pounds. Maintaining an ideal weight will go a long way to keeping your pet healthy.