Fat Companion Animals Getting Fatter According To Latest Survey
Findings from the “Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Study” show companion animal obesity is on the rise; 53% of cats and 55% of dogs were categorized as overweight or obese in 2010.
Surveys conducted among veterinarians show that among cats, 32% are classified as overweight and 22% are classified as obese, which is defined to be over 30% of normal body weight. Similarly, among dogs, 35% are categorized as overweight and 21% are considered obese.
The number of companion animals considered to be overweight or obese is on the rise. In 2007, the first year this survey was conducted, 19% of cats and 10% of dogs were considered as obese. At least some of this increase may be due to a better understanding of what obesity among companion animals looks like.