Pet obesity may be growing at the most alarming rate in households where a new baby is present, according to a recent study by Flexcin International (makers of the FlexPet joint supplement for pets).
In a six-month analysis from June through December in 2010, new parents represented roughly a third (32.3 percent) of all dog-joint health inquiries tied to overweight pets (up from 25.7% in 2008). Elderly pet owners came in second at 28.5 percent.
Possible causes for this phenomenon:
–78.4% of new parents said their dog was able to freely eat food that dropped from the baby├óΓé¼Γäós high-chair.
–67.7% said they paid less attention to their dog├óΓé¼Γäós food portions.
–64.6% said they had less time for dog walks or didn├óΓé¼Γäót feel comfortable bringing the dog during baby stroller walks.
Teddy Hilton’s celeb vet Patrick Mahaney says it├óΓé¼Γäós important to monitor a pet├óΓé¼Γäós body condition to observe possible obesity signs. He says:
“Make sure you can feel your dog’s ribs and the spaces in between each rib. Also, check to see if the dog’s abdomen bulges out or swings down towards the ground,”
Don’t forget your pet when you have a kid. Dog’s are your babies too!
[Image via howtotraindogsonline.com.]
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