Is Your Dog or Cat Overweight? The 2-Year Difference Pet Parents Miss

Donie kicks things off with a confession: after a few weeks of extra treats and fewer walks in the heat, she's pretty sure her dogs Tuxedo and Jean Martin have put on some weight. Dr. Amber's in the same boat with her recently adopted dog Willow, who's on her own weight loss journey. It's perfect timing, because nearly 60% of pets in this country are overweight or obese right now, and pets at a healthy weight live an average of two years longer than those who aren't. Dr. Amber explains why this is almost never on the pet parent - it's a mix of highly palatable commercial food, treat marketing, spaying and neutering's effect on metabolism, and increasingly indoor, sedentary lifestyles for both dogs and cats. In this episode, we cover: - Why overweight pets are the norm, not the exception - and why that's not your fault - The 4 things every pet parent should know: daily calories, calories in current food, calories from treats, and body condition score - The 3-point at-home check: rib, waist, and side profile - Why it works across every breed and body type, from lean greyhounds to stout Frenchies - Why keeping joints moving matters as a pet's weight comes down Whether you've got a dog, a cat, or both, tune in for a simple, no-guilt way to help your pet feel their best. 🐾 ❤️ **Connect with us:** **ᐧ Facebook -**facebook.com/vitalpetlife **ᐧ TikTok:**@vitalpetlife **ᐧ Instagram:**@vitalpetlife **ᐧ X:**@vitalpetlife **ᐧ YouTube:**@vitalpetlife **ᐧ LinkedIn:**linkedin.com/company/vitalpetlife **ᐧ Check out our website -**www.vitalpetlife.com You may also enjoy: Your Pet in Bed: The Real Science on Sleep Disruption, Health Risks, and What a Vet Wants You to Know https://smartlink.ausha.co/unleashedcuriosity/your-pet-in-bed-the-real-science-on-sleep-disruption-health-risks-and-what-a-vet-wants-you-to-know Music: "Life of Riley" by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 4.0) Don't forget to follow us or send us your questions at [podcast@vitalpetlife.com](mailto:podcast@vitalpetlife.com). Thank you for tuning in! #PetHealth #DogHealth #PetWeightLoss #UnleashedCuriosity #VitalPetLife Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.