As some of you know, I am an obesity researcher studying the disorder Prader-Willi Syndrome. Obesity has become a major health issue for our population, with extremely high morbidity and mortality costs associated with it. I just wanted to highlight the importanct of obesity in the animals we love dearly, as this problem is greatly increasing in the animal world too: estimates show that 57% of US cats are overweight or obese. As with humans, excess weight in cats (and dogs!) is associated with higher incidence and poorer outcomes for numerous diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The excess weight can also dramatically reduce the ability of the pet to recover from illness or trauma. It is up to us to provide our pets with the best chances possible, and well within our hands to control this problem and improve their quality of life. Please take some time today to reflect on your pets health, as today is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day.
Some excellent information, and the ability to join a major study on pet obesity is available here, from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP)
http://www.petobesityprevention.com/awareness_day.htm
My cat Manytoes is certainly overweight, and perhaps obese. Like in people, the most important thing to do (and indeed, would qualify as successful obesity treatment) is to prevent him from continuing to gain more weight.
Thank you for reading this thread and considering this important issue!
Some excellent information, and the ability to join a major study on pet obesity is available here, from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP)
http://www.petobesityprevention.com/awareness_day.htm
My cat Manytoes is certainly overweight, and perhaps obese. Like in people, the most important thing to do (and indeed, would qualify as successful obesity treatment) is to prevent him from continuing to gain more weight.
Thank you for reading this thread and considering this important issue!
