Has Your Pet Put on the “Quarantine 15?”

Keep Them In Shape with Health Tips from the Arizona Humane Society!

Wednesday, October 14 is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day. During a time of social distancing, our pets are not immune to putting on the “Quarantine 15,” especially while many pet owners are working from home or trying to stay indoors as much as possible. In honor of National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, the Arizona Humane Society wants to help overweight pets, like Baby Girl, get in shape with some important health tips. According to a survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), over 50 percent of dogs and nearly 60 percent of cats are overweight or obese. Just last year that number was 40 percent and is clearly on the rise. AHS is dedicated to keeping animals happy and healthy and encourage pet owners to improve your pet’s quality of life with these pet obesity tips: Signs and Dangers of Pet Obesity

• Inability to see waistline or ribs
• Reluctance to exercise, quickly tiring from exercise
• Diabetes, cancer, joint problems, heart disease, high blood pressure and more

Obesity Prevention & Health Tips

• Avoid feeding pets table scraps, high-calorie treats or extra food
• Substitute high-calorie treats with healthy, pet-safe options such as apples and green beans
• Provide consistent, fun activities and exercise
  • If pet is out of shape, slowly build up to longer periods of exercise
• Offer a variety of toys, positive reinforcement

If you suspect that your pet is overweight, be sure to consult with your veterinarian as there could be an underlying medical issue or your vet may prescribe a meal plan including low calorie food/treats like green beans or exercises such as swimming or short walks. Pictured below is a weight chart pet owners can utilize to see what category their pet is in. Baby Girl is a domestic shorthair kitty that is an example of an obese kitty for her size. The 13 pound bundle of love has been looking for her furever home at AHS’ Campus for Compassion for almost a month after her previous owner became ill and could no longer care for her. For more information on Baby Girl or to see all of AHS’ adoptable pets, visit azhumane.org/adopt.

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