Obesity in pets

Obese pets are common in the countries where human obesity affects a large proportion of the population. "Around 40 percent of dogs and cats in the United States are overweight or obese, and it is their most common nutritional disease."(reference for quote: Spokesman Review (Spokane, WA) January 2, 2007 Tuesday Idaho Edition SECTION: Z; Pg. 14) Obese dogs and cats have a higher incidence of arthritis and heart disease. In fact, fatness to the point of health impairment is enough of a concern that "the Food and Drug Administration yesterday cleared Pfizer Inc. to market a drug called Slentrol for use in the estimated five per cent of U.S. dogs that are obese" in January, 2007 (reference for quote:Ottawa Citizen January 6, 2007 Saturday Final Edition BUSINESS; Pg. D2). Obese pets are not restricted to the USA by any means. "A study by the RSPCA estimates 41 per cent of dogs and more than a third of cats are overweight or obese" in Australia (reference for quote:Townsville Bulletin (Australia) THE GOOD LIFE; Pg. 24 August 10, 2006 Thursday Copyright 2006 Nationwide News Pty Limited).

That's more than 1.5 million of Australia's four million dogs, and about 800,000 of our 2.5 million cats. And the numbers may be even higher.

When it comes to dangerously obese dogs, more than one pet owner has been prosecuted under the law for cruelty to animals.Two British brothers were cited in 2006 for cruelty and neglect of their chocolate labrador, "who was allegedly made so obese by his owners that he 'looked like a seal' and could barely waddle a few steps" Reference for quote: Daily Mail (London) November 30, 2006 ThursdayCopyright 2006 Associated Newspapers Ltd.).

Cats have also been found to suffer from morbid obesity.