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Does Your Pet Need to Shed the COVID Weight

Extra snacks from owners are causing dogs and cats to bulk up

o_sa/Getty Images across the country are packing on more pounds than is healthy — something that has been easier to do since the pandemic began. Take MabelDog, a 6-year-old Jack Russell- dachshund mix. She should weigh 11 pounds, maybe 12. But last year, when the pandemic turned owner Kathryn Howard’s world “into a two-bedroom apartment,” the weight steadily climbed — for both of them. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. “,” says Howard, 59, from Irondequoit, New York, referring to herself and her 18-year-old son. “We were having more snacks, so we gave her more snacks. Then we got to a point where a portion of our meal would be set for her.” MabelDog got up to 18 pounds. She isn’t alone. A by dog technology company Fi , conducted in collaboration with Pumpkin Pet Insurance , found that 36 percent of the 1,000 dog owners surveyed said their canines had gained weight during the pandemic, despite getting more exercise than normal. More than 40 percent of owners admitted giving their pets extra treats or table scraps. The new findings continue a trend that was already underway , according to the latest figures available from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. In 2018 , an estimated 60 percent of cats and 56 percent of dogs in the United States were overweight or obese, the association found. Obesity, in fact, is the number one health threat pets face , because it affects nearly every biological system in the ir bod ies. It can lead to diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, kidney failure, cancer and other conditions. “What I see is the end of the spectrum that people don't like to talk about and hopefully never have to see,” says internationally recognized veterinarian Ernie Ward, founder of the association and author of three books, including Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs Are Getting Fatter. With owners like Howard , people had more opportunities to share snacks with their furry friends. Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers > MabelDog is working to shed her pandemic weight, says owner Kathryn Howard. Courtesy Kathryn Howard

Watching Your Pet s Weight

Want to know how much your pet weighs compared to an average adult human male or female? The from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention offers this information by specific breed, as well as a place to calculate your pet 's caloric needs and read up on weight loss tips. Pet food delivery companies such as PetPlate offer direct-to-consumer subscriptions with personalized meal plans for cats and dogs. “It’s an entirely different model that’s starting to gain traction,” says Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry , a trade magazine. Expect to pay between $25 and $140 , depending on the kind of food you order (custom kibble, freeze-dried raw formulations, prepackaged fresh meals, etc.).
The vast majority of problem cases can be traced back to a lack of portion control. Ward says one study found that giving 10 extra kibbles per day to dogs and cats weighing less than 22 pounds resulted in a 1-pound weight gain over the course of a year.
At the same time, the feeding directions on pet food packaging — it's often based on the pet's weight in kilograms — can be confusing to the average consumer, notes Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry , a trade magazine. “What does that mean in terms of a cup?” she asks. “It just takes too much work.” An effort has been underway for years to modernize pet food labels and make it easier for consumers to understand the feeding directions. For example, by displaying the directions more prominent ly instead of bur ying them on the side of the package, or by designing them to more closely resemble the nutrition boxes found on packaging for human food . But the process has been slow. Pet food labels must follow guidance set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials and regulations from the Food and Drug Administration — and changing regulations takes time. Also, given the wealth of information required on a food label or package, it's difficult for pet food companies to include everything in easy-to-see places. Pet owners, therefore, should have a conversion chart handy and be sure to offer up the exact same quantity — drawing a line on a measuring cup will help — at feeding time. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe More on home-family AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS