Photo: Getty Images/EyeEm
Photo: Getty Images/EyeEm
Lots of people gained the “COVID 19” and then some over the past year. Turns out humans aren’t the only ones who put on the pounds during quarantine.
A new study by Banfield Pet Hospital finds America's pets have been gaining weight too.
- From March 2020 to December 2020 dogs diagnosed as overweight or obese rose 2.3%.
- Overall, 34% of dogs were diagnosed as overweight or obese in 2020.
- That’s an increase of almost 200% from just a decade ago, when only 18% were diagnosed as overweight or obese.
- And it wasn’t much better for cats.
- 38% of cats were considered overweight or obese in 2020, an increase from 18% in 2011.
Extra weight on animals can result in a whole host of health issues, including dermatological issues, diabetes, orthopedic conditions and more.
- But trying to keep their animals at a healthy weight isn’t easy for a lot of owners.
- 93% say they’ve struggled to do so.
- As for the top reasons it’s so hard, excuses include:
- Giving in when their pet begs for food or treats (46%)
- Not knowing the best strategies for pet weight loss (30%)
- Trouble exercising their pet due to their own health or mobility issues (29%) and not having enough time to exercise their pet (26%)
- Not paying enough attention to their pet's diet (23%)