The Purina study on obesity.
© Zeno Group Press Office
Posted on updated the
A study by Purina revealed that many of those who have a dog or cat cannot recognize the early signs of obesity.
This is why it is important to prevent this particular and little recognized pathology.
Obesity and overweight
The well-known company of animal feed, Purina, wanted to remember the importance of maintaining the ideal weight for cats and dogs.
The obesity rate among pets is very high, so the Purina team, along with some experts from five universities, started a study who revealed how often the problems related to weight reside in beliefs and in incorrect behavior of the owners.
I study
The study was carried out on a sample of 3,399 dogs in five countries. The results showed that 33% of owners think their dog’s weight is ideal, while in reality they were overweight or even obese dogs.
Only one in two respondents can recognize if their pet has the correct weight. From here it is clear that the causes of overweight are first of all due to a wrong management of food.
High risk
Now the most worrying thing is that the obesity rate may increase further in difficult times like the one we have experienced with lockdownwhere boredom and routine could change eating behaviors for the worse, without physical activity being able to remedy.
In short, there is a need for greater information and awareness, as well as a joint collaboration between owners and veterinarians to recognize and resolve the problem.
How to tell if your pet is obese?
To help the masters in weight management there is a tool, called Body Condition Score (BCS) which allows owners and veterinarians to “be able to recognize the first signs of obesity in dogs and cats”, explained Guido Ponciniveterinarian Purina.
This is the link for the gatto and a different one for the cane.
Read also: The transformation of an obese and abandoned dog into a new family (Video)