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Research Finds 1 In 3 American Cats and Dogs Are Overweight (arstechnica.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the time-to-hit-the-treadmill dept.

After surveying 2.5 million dogs and 500,000 cats in the U.S. last year, a group of researchers found that about one in three were overweight or obese. "Looking over data from the last decade, the researchers say the new figures reveal a 169-percent increase in hefty felines and a 158-percent increase in chunky canines," reports Ars Technica. From the report: All the data is from researchers at Banfield, which runs a chain of veterinary hospitals across 42 states. The researchers surveyed animals that checked into one of Banfield's 975 locations, putting them through a five-point physical and visual exam. Animals were considered overweight if their ribs were not clearly visible or easily felt and if their waists were also hard to see. Pets were dubbed obese if their ribs couldn't be felt at all and they had no visible waist. As in humans, being overweight makes pets more prone to chronic health conditions. Also similar to humans, doctors blame pets' weight problems on overfeeding and lack of exercise. Other contributing factors include genetics and health issues such as arthritis, which can make play painful. Last, some pet owners may not be able to spot weight issues in their pets -- particularly because so many more dogs and cats are now overweight, making chubby pets the new norm. Dog breeds with the highest prevalence of obesity are Labrador Retrievers, Cairn Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels, the researchers report. For cats, the fattest breeds are Manx and Maine Coons.

5 of 177 comments (clear)

  1. Really? by Circlotron · · Score: 4, Informative

    Stuff that matters alright!

  2. Why is this here? by Mal-2 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Just because it's on Ars Technica, that doesn't mean it's "News For Nerds, Stuff That Matters".

    Also, fat pets have more health problems, but it's not exactly a major crisis. A cat dying at the age of 10 instead of 15 is unfortunate for one cat and one family, but it has exceptionally little effect on the world at large or even on the family's next door neighbors.

    --
    How is the Riemann zeta function like Trump rallies? Both have an endless number of trivial zeros.
  3. And yet more fit than the owners by twein · · Score: 5, Informative

    https://www.niddk.nih.gov/heal...

    1. Re:And yet more fit than the owners by ls671 · · Score: 4, Informative

      Damn, you just beat me to it ;-(

      I was about to post the same link:

      Fast Facts

      Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009–2010 2, 3

              More than 2 in 3 adults are considered to be overweight or obese.
              More than 1 in 3 adults are considered to be obese.
              More than 1 in 20 adults are considered to have extreme obesity.
              About one-third of children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 are considered to be overweight or obese.
              More than 1 in 6 children and adolescents ages 6 to 19 are considered to be obese.

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      Everything I write is lies, read between the lines.
  4. Re:Dogs should be given carnivorous diet, too by c · · Score: 3, Informative

    where would dogs get carbohydrates in the wild?

    Judging from the coyote scat I see around my place and what my dogs eat outside, fruit is a pretty popular source of nutrients and carbs.

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