Pet owners adore their furry companions and treat them just like a part of their family. Pets indeed have their unique ways to make their pet parents feel special, and owners reciprocate the love and affection through belly rubs, cuddles, and hearty meals and treats. Food can be a great way to strengthen a bond with a pet, but what most pet lovers don’t recognize is the tendency to overfeed.
Paired with insufficient exercise, overfeeding is a primary cause of obesity. An overweight pet means that it is consuming more calories than it actually needs which can severely lower the pet’s quality of life. The danger lies in several factors which include the nutritional inadequacy of foods given to pets, the frequency of feeding, and the lack of physical activity. When obesity strikes, the pet can be vulnerable to the risk of osteoarthritis, diabetes, certain cancers, heart and respiratory diseases, and other illnesses.
