Obesity in Pets: Not Surprising Considering Their Food

I don't have any pets, but pamphlets on display outside a pet store caught my attention the other day.  "The Obesity Epidemic" and "Food Allergies in Dogs" were two of the offerings.

I read this from "The Obesity Epidemic":

"Obesity has garnered a great deal of focus in America. Nearly two-third of us are overweight. Both lifestyle choices, and diet, are the chief determining factors. This circumstance has, unfortunately, trickled down to our pets. According to a 2007 study done by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, half of our cats and dogs were classified as obese by their veterinarians. This creates stress on the heart and circulatory system, the joints, and creates a propensity to developing diabetes."

This had never crossed my mind before, but I immediately realized that the common denominator for obesity in humans and their pets is the nutrient-poor processed food that has become so prevalent in our society. I went into a supermarket and looked at the ingredients in commercial pet food; no wonder Fido is fat and sick.

• Processed meat by-products marketed as real meat? Check. 
• Harmful preservatives to increase shelf life? Check.
• Emulsifiers and stabilizers? Check.
• Genetically-engineered and pesticide-laden corn used as a filler? Check. 

I started to think about the billions of dollars that must be at play and realized that Spot and Whiskers—who have no say in the matter—are doomed. What a shame.