Cat Obesity on the Rise

Percentage of overweight cats remains the same from past year, but obese cats make up a greater portion of that number.

By BowTie News Editors | Posted: February 7, 2012, 3 p.m. EST

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Obese cats rose from 53.7% of cats in 2010 to 54.7% of cats in 2011.

• 21.3% of dogs were classified as obese compared with 20.6% in 2010, while
• 24.8% of cats were classified as obese compared to 21.6% in 2010.
• The percentage of dogs classified as overweight or obese declined from 55.6% in 2010 to 52.5% in 2011
• The percentage of cats classified as obese rose from 53.7% in 2010 to 54.7% in 2011.

• 22% of dog owners and 15% of cat owners erroneously characterized their pet as normal.
• 49% of cat owners reported their cat's veterinarian had discussed obesity and excess weight with them, and 46% reported their cat's veterinarian had reviewed nutrition or food choices.
• 72% of dog owners reported their veterinarian had discussed obesity and excess weight with them, and 86% reported their veterinarian had reviewed nutrition or food choices.

• The most common place for dog or cat owners to purchase dog or cat food was at pet stores, with 61.1% of owners reporting this option, while 22.2% purchased pet food from grocery stores and 16.8% purchased from veterinary clinics.
• Of dog and cat owners, 76% reported they learned about pet nutrition from their veterinarian, 71.5% from the internet, 22% from a pet store, 5.5% from a breeder and 2% from a groomer, with respondents allowed to choose multiple answers.
• When choosing what type of pet food to feed their pets, 69.4% of owners trusted their veterinarians, 36.3% turned to a website, 20.6% decided at the pet store, 4.4% utilized a breeder and 1.3% trusted their groomer.

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Cat Obesity on the Rise

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diane    st. catharines, ON 1/23/2013 1:35:20 PM i have 2 cats. they will both turn 4 this year and are strictly indoor cats. a tad plump, yes. i ensure that their food is for indoor cats and is calorie controlled. they do have a few temptations each morning. their main form of exercise is to run at breakneck speed throughout the apartment, usually at the expense of my ankles. ann.    newark, NJ 3/15/2012 6:43:16 AM this is why I don't free feed. Bill & Lorraine    Manhattan, NY 2/24/2012 7:49:02 AM We try to combine both meat and dry crunches in our boy's diet. Tricia    Co Bluffs, IA 2/17/2012 4:20:33 AM Casey, I tried to tell a friend of mine that her cat needs meat and she won't listen to me!