October 11, 2023 — Today is World Pet Obesity Awareness Day. So what can we make of the observation that our pets seem to be growing larger with us? We have the privilege of knowing two persons who have put much thought into this subject. So today, we will borrow on their insights. Chihuahua in the Coalmine Ernie Ward […]
July 9, 2020 — Blame and shame for obesity, it seems, is not just for humans anymore. In fact, a new study in the International Journal of Obesity documents significant bias toward dogs with obesity and their owners. What’s more, these attitudes are strikingly similar to what humans endure. Who’s a good dog? According to some veterinarians, not a […]
June 30, 2019 — Obesity is quite a problem for pets as well as humans, so a growing number of veterinary medicine organizations are developing guidance on the subject. Around the world, 25 international medical veterinary organizations have endorsed the position of the Global Pet Obesity Initiative. In short, veterinarians around the world are recognizing that obesity is a […]
January 5, 2019 — If you want to understand that obesity is not just an issue for humans, take a peek at health insurance claims for our cats and dogs. Nationwide Insurance released data this week. Puff and Rover are definitely joining us on a global journey of pandemic obesity. For the eighth year in a row, Nationwide sees […]
October 25, 2018 — Yesterday, we had an unusual opportunity. We spent the day with a diverse collection of animal scientists – experts in behavior, health, nutrition, and even obesity. One thing was most clear. Pets and humans are on parallel paths for health. And in fact, the parallels in human and pet obesity are quite striking. Can We Talk? […]
August 13, 2017 — Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised. We see plenty of myths and mistaken beliefs about human nutrition. Why would pet nutrition be any different? And indeed, veterinarian Ernie Ward told us yesterday at YWM2017 that it isn’t. Pet owners mistakenly hold onto a number of mistaken beliefs about pet nutrition and obesity. Excess Weight Affects Most […]
November 11, 2016 — For two days in Atlanta, we are seeing a nearly perfect intersection between personal health, family health, and the health of our beloved critters in obesity. Two days of paired presentations – animal health and human health – are exploring the full spectrum of physiological, sociological, and psychological aspects of obesity. The parallels are stunning. Rates […]
September 3, 2016 — Is human obesity reflected in our pets as they increasingly suffer from the same condition? In Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, a new issue devoted entirely to the subject paints a picture that mirrors the problem in humans. Obesity is perhaps the biggest health problem facing our animal companions. Many owners deny that […]
September 17, 2013 — Obesity can affect all the inhabitants of a home, not just Mom, Dad, and the kids. A recent infographic in USA Today reminds us that as the U.S. population changes, so do the pets that live with us. The infographic data comes from a survey done by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) which […]
