Just as vigorous people tend to choose active lifestyles for their pets, overweight and obese individuals may pass their eating patterns onto their pets. Physicians and veterinarians collaborated to use a One Health approach to study pet obesity emphasizing the importance of nutrition as one aspect of health.
Being an overweight dog owner was found to be the most important factor in the occurrence of obesity in dogs . . . “
Source: Petfood Industry, June 27, 2022. Link. Along with shared ingredients, pet owners may be sharing eating patterns and concepts about nutrition with their pets. A strong correlation has been found between dog owners with low levels of education and obesity in their dogs.
INSIGHTS: Discussing pet body condition and weight has never been easy. However, with the rapid increase in pet nutrition options, it is incumbent on animal health pros to do our best. Establishing a baseline for Kcals per day can help focus on what the animal needs and the sources of Kcals that contribute to proper amounts of food and treats.
Also see: Optimal nutrition calculators for cats, dogs available, AHD, March 16, 2021. Link.