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Research Finds 1 In 3 American Cats and Dogs Are Overweight (arstechnica.com)
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.
Stuff that matters alright!
In families with at least one obese person, usually EVERYONE in the family is obese - even small children, who obviously aren't making their own dietary decisions. It doesn't surprise me that the pets are obese, too.
If you don't let them out to roam, they won't get enough exercise. No other country treats cats as indoor-only pets
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.
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/heal...
Korean Air is offering deep discounts to Americans who want to bring their overweight pets along on vacation, along with free copies of "100 Ways to Wok Your Dog".
I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
...that most pet owners have no idea how to care for their animals. They buy a pet, like they buy a sofa or chair: it's supposed to be there when they want it, and otherwise it is neglected. My cat is better trained than most dogs I meet. She sits and lies down on command, she comes when called. She does silly tricks.
Dogs in particular require a lot of interaction, a lot of training and a lot of care. They are pack animals, which means that - if they are going to get their share of the kill - they have to eat as much as they can, as fast as they can. People who bought a dog, thinking it was a kind of furry sofa, have no clue. So of course their dogs are overweight. "But he's always hungry" - no shit, Sherlock, that's how dogs are.
Enjoy life! This is not a dress rehearsal.
The industrial cat food you find in stores is choke full of nutrients that are pointless for obligate carnivores. It's akin to feeding kids with cookies and candy bars on grounds that there's a bit of flour and nuts in them.
Not to mention the severe lack of water in the case of dry food. Cats get the bulk of their daily water intake through their food, and only partially compensate the lack of intake by drinking more if you give them dry food.
Dogs may be able to digest carbohydrates but if you stop and think about it, where would dogs get carbohydrates in the wild? Trace amounts from eating grass, but otherwise they would be eating meat or scavenging carrion. They can only tolerate some carbohydrates because of their long association with humans.
Most dog food is chock full of carbohydrates and it fattens dogs just like fattens people and cattle in the feedlot.
It's all those large sized carbonated beverages owners are giving them...
Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
...was overweight too. Until we got a tip to look out for sugar in the food.
It wasn't easy to find a cat food without sugar and we were worried that he - the sugar junkie - wouldn't like it BUT he loves it!
I think the meat must be better (didn't taste it).
Now he is back to normal and way more active (immediately after the food change).
They aren't seriously claiming they've discovered something using only their own data as a source, right?
First of all, Banfield is only in urban areas where there is more disposable income. Second, people who go to Banfield/Petsmart are those who tend to spoil their pets more, and in turn also feed them more treats and larger meal helpings. Finally, they are only using their own in-house data, and in doing so are failing to control for their own internal bias.
The natural food for cats and dogs is meat, when you replace it with mostly grains, they become fat just like their human owners.