Pet Health Problems Associated With Obesity

The overfeeding of pets is a serious problem in many countries around the world. People often mistakenly think that cats and dogs can regulate themselves and will not take food if they do not need it.

In fact, just like humans, these animals can be prone to greediness and over a period of time, this can have devastating consequences for their health.

Creatures that are obese have a reduced quality of life. They often lack energy and motivation to play and exercise, which is a big part of canine and feline existence. They can also go on to develop a range of medical conditions linked to their weight.

All too often, vets are confronted by obese cats and dogs suffering from ailments like diabetes, heart disease, urinary tract conditions and arthritis.

It should come as no surprise that these health issues can lower animals’ life expectancies and this can be heartbreaking for their loving owners.

There are a number of ways in which people can control the weight of their pets. For example, they can make sure that the food they pick up from the pet shop is of a suitably high standard. Also, they must follow the instructions on the pack to avoid over or underfeeding their creatures.

Then there is the issue of exercise to consider. Both dogs and cats need to burn calories in this way. While some cats get much of their exertion outdoors by themselves, dog and house cats need to be encouraged to run around and play.