My Big Fat Fido: Tips for Overweight Pets

by | Updated: December 3rd, 2016 | Read time: 2 minutes

My neighborhood is unusually pet-friendly. Two poodles and a tiny chihuahua-daschund mix live on one side, and a cheerful, tail-wagging golden retriever lives on the other side. And in between them, my rescue cats Bob and Miss Kitty observe the entertainment.

What all these pets have in common: Their weights range from chubby to obese.

Overweight Golden Retriever Eating Diet Dog Food | Vitacost.com Blog

“But he’s so cute when he begs for treats,” says my neighbor about the bulging body of the little chihuahua.

“Everyone feeds him,” admits the retriever owner.

As for me: I plead guilty to feeding Bob when he sits on my feet and looks up longingly as I eat, patting my ankle gently to remind me that he’s hoping for tidbits to drop from the sky (or at least the human hand).

And we’re not alone: More than half of our nation’s pets are overweight or obese, according to a survey of veterinarians by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. The survey revealed that 53 percent of adult dogs and 55 percent of cats are classified as overweight or obese.

So what’s the solution? Stop feeding our pets table food and fattening treats (sorry, Bob). Fortunately, Vitacost has a wide range of pet-friendly options.

Tip: Always talk with your vet about personalized pet recommendations for foods. Consider printing out from the Vitacost site different options, then take them to your next pet appointment and get advice on the best selections.

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