National Pet Obesity Awareness Day

National Pet Obesity Awareness Day occurs once each year in October. This year, Pet Obesity Awareness Day falls on October 11, 2023.

This awareness day is a part of a greater National Pet Wellness Month which is held in October each year. This is a time for pet owners, organizations, clinics, and pet lovers volunteer and share information to help improve the health and wellness of pets.

How Many Pets Are Obese?

According to the Association for Pet Obesity, 59% of cats and 54% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. We understand it can be hard to say no to those cute faces when they're begging for a treat.

Why Is Pet Obesity Concerning?

Pet obesity can cause serious health issues to our furry loved ones. Obesity can contribute to a wide range of issues including arthritis, kidney disease, UTIs, heart problems, high blood pressure, and more (AKC.org).

Tips To Prevent Pet Obesity

As responsible pet owners, we need to make sure we're keeping our pets feeling their best. Here are some tips to help your pet stay in shape:

• Make sure your pet gets exercise daily. Take plenty of walks, jogs, or give them room to run! Toys and climbing towers can be great exercise for cats.
• Feed a species-appropriate diet to your pet and follow recommended guidelines on the amount they should eat daily. 
• Say no to table foods! Some human foods can be healthy for pets, but do your research and be sure that if you're sharing your food it is something healthy for your pet.
• Feed your pets healthy, all-natural treats. Treats with added fillers and artificial ingredients can cause your pet to gain weight.