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Cat & Dog Obesity Rates High In Nevada

Posted: 6:10 PM May 15, 2012
Reporter: Terri Russell

RENO, NV - Reno resident Megan Lowe is taking her 8-month-old Labradoddle, Tucker, to the dog park.

He's part of the family she says so she tries to do what's best for him.

“Just because he deserves it. He deserves to be exercised if we are going to keep him cooped up during the day while we are at work. That's the biggest reason we do it,” says Megan.

We didn't see a lot of overweight dogs at the Link Piazzo Dog Park.

Many people who bring their dogs say they come to the park frequently to make sure their dogs get enough exercise.

But apparently that's not happening enough here in Nevada where one in four dogs is overweight,

Only three states have a worse record.

“The pinch an inch in people, if you can pinch an inch you might be overweight. In a dog or cat if you can feel an inch between the fingers and ribs, they are overweight,” says veterinarian with Baring Animal Hospital, Dr. John Crumley.

Overweight dogs face a higher rate of arthritis, kidney, thyroid and heart disease.

They also have a higher mortality rate.

“So one of the phrases I use is if I can give you a pill that would have your dog live 2 years longer wouldn't you take it? Feed them less,” says Dr. Crumley.

Baring Animal Hospital has a whole discussion on obese pets, the challenges, the remedies.

If you’d like more information go to “Hot Topics” at kolotv.com

Also Nevada’s Human Society has a special on large dogs—not necessarily overweight---called “Size Does Matter” the society is offering discount adoption rates on larger dogs at their facility.

Call 775-856-2000 for more information.