I thought this was a good article that appeared in one of the latest Hungry Girl e-Newsletters. I know I have a pet that needs to shed a few pounds, and now that we are learning how to eat better and exercise, it's time to do the same thing for our pets (and if you pet is capable - it's a fun thing together - like go walking, running, playing frisbee/ball, etc.).
The term "obesity epidemic" has been thrown around for years. And unfortunately, it's now being applied to our pets. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (bet you didn't even know that group existed!) monitors the weight of dogs and cats in America. Sadly, APOP has come to some upsetting conclusions: According to last year's data, more than 45 percent of dogs and 58 percent of cats in the U.S. are too heavy; about 9 percent of dogs and 21 percent of cats are CLINICALLY OBESE. Whoa. We love our furry kids! Experts say pet treats are enemy number one. Does this mean that instead of giving them treats with reckless loving abandon, we should be cutting off their snack supply!?! Well, if we want our animal friends to be around for a long time, we do need to pay attention to their weight. Check out APOP's website for loads of info: Find out your pet's caloric needs (the amount might be WAY less than you think), the 411 on how many calories are in popular pet food and treats, telltale signs of an overweight pet, and more.
The term "obesity epidemic" has been thrown around for years. And unfortunately, it's now being applied to our pets. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (bet you didn't even know that group existed!) monitors the weight of dogs and cats in America. Sadly, APOP has come to some upsetting conclusions: According to last year's data, more than 45 percent of dogs and 58 percent of cats in the U.S. are too heavy; about 9 percent of dogs and 21 percent of cats are CLINICALLY OBESE. Whoa. We love our furry kids! Experts say pet treats are enemy number one. Does this mean that instead of giving them treats with reckless loving abandon, we should be cutting off their snack supply!?! Well, if we want our animal friends to be around for a long time, we do need to pay attention to their weight. Check out APOP's website for loads of info: Find out your pet's caloric needs (the amount might be WAY less than you think), the 411 on how many calories are in popular pet food and treats, telltale signs of an overweight pet, and more. 
