While many of us have been led to believe that pets can self regulate how much they eat, this is entirely untrue.

 

In the wild, dogs and cats never know when or where their next meal will come from, so they eat when they can as much as they can- even when it is not good for them. Many of the treats we offer to our pets are very high in calories and can contribute to obesity in our pets. For example 1 oz of cheese is the canine equivalent of 2 1/2 cheeseburgers and feline equivalent of 3 1/2 cheeseburgers.

 

Obesity in pets is considered a disease requiring veterinary care because of the changes that are occurring with body metabolism and the likelihood that other disease processes can result in a deterioration in your pet’s health. Fat cells are active in the body. They secrete several chemicals into the body that can alter metabolism and bodily functions. Conditions associated with obesity are: