Both animals and humans in the United States are experiencing an
obesity epidemic. "As a practicing veterinarian for almost 20
years, I've never seen this many overweight pets," said Dr Ernie
Ward, author of Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs are Getting Fatter --
A Vet's Plan to Save Their Lives. "We're witnessing the super-
sizing of America's pets before our very eyes." Not
surprisingly, the cause of the obesity epidemic in humans and
their pets is also the same. Both are getting fat because of the
overabundance of available food and a simultaneous reduction in
physical exercise. This is a serious problem for everyone
because just as obesity causes many health concerns for humans,
the risks for animals are equally disturbing. Osteoarthritis,
type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, reproductive problems,
digestive disorders, high blood pressure, heart disease,
respiratory disease and many forms of cancer are just some of
the risks for dogs that are over their ideal weight. One of the
best ways to battle the obesity epidemic