Everyone loves his cutie fat pets. We love them because their plump, furry bodies just make us want to cuddle and spoil them. But research shows that this might actually be a not-so-good reminder for us. The latest finding from a research paper is that fat pet dogs mean fat dog owners! Yes, podgy pooches reflect the lifestyles of their owners.
As a matter of fact, according to the latest annual National Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 53% dogs were overweight in 2014. Not only that, but what is more surprising is that 90% of owners of these pet dogs did not know that their beloved furry companions are obese.
Dr. Peter Sande from the University of Copenhagen has a relevant explanation he shared during a lecture in Melbourne. He relates that fat dog owners spoil their pets more often and more likely to underestimate their dogs' weight. Because most owners see their pets as equal to them, they tend to over feed them as an expression of their love and attachment. Owners usually think that their dogs also deserve all the treats and indulgences they usually grant themselves.
Probably because physical activities require more time and effort, veterinarians also conclude that people get lazy and guilty "by those big brown eyes" and offer foods as treats instead of other rewards such as cuddles or walks, games and other recreational activities. Less healthy dog owners are also less likely to walk their four legged friends to burn off the extra calories from all those lazy indulgences.
It is suggested that pet owners must be more thoughtful of their health and also of their pets rather than waiting until it's too late. Dr. Leonie Richards of the University of Melbourne provides a simple guideline to all dog lovers: Make sure that "a dog should not look like a coffee table"-that you should still be able to see a waistline, ribs and feel the backbone of your beloved pets. This suggestion applies to all breeds.
