Veterinarians blame extra treats and table scraps given to pets since the coronavirus pandemic began as the primary reason for a whopping increase of pet obesity. Banfield Pet Hospital found nearly 40 percent of cats and almost 35 percent of dogs were diagnosed as overweight in 2020, up from less than 20 percent a decade ago.
Source: The New York Times, March 4, 2022. Link. “We’re all having pandemic pounds come into play,” said Dr. Jennifer Bolser, the chief clinic veterinarian for the Humane Society of Boulder Valley in Colorado. For pets, as with humans, bad habits include overeating, too much snacking and not enough physical activities. People find it harder to not overindulge pets while stuck at home with them.
INSIGHTS: Take a look the pictures of Vita, the cat that grew to 19 pounds.