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It’s time to show your four-legged friend some extra love on National Pet Obesity Day, which takes place on the second Wednesday in October. Celebrated since 2010, this day is dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of pet obesity and encouraging owners to keep their pets at a healthy weight. Overweight pets are more likely to suffer from various medical conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease, so it's important that we do our part to keep them fit and healthy. So let's get active with our furry friends and have some fun while looking after their health!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First National Pet Obesity Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention establishes the first National Pet Obesity Day to raise awareness about overweight pets and their health risks.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Major Pet Food Guidelines</div><div class='timeline-text'>Pet food companies start providing feeding guidelines on packaging to help pet owners maintain healthy portion sizes for their pets.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2014</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Increased Vet Education</div><div class='timeline-text'>Veterinary schools start placing a stronger emphasis on nutrition education, recognizing the importance of diet in pet health.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rise of Pet Fitness Tech</div><div class='timeline-text'>The emergence of pet fitness technology, such as activity trackers and smart feeders, help owners monitor their pet's health and activity levels.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2018</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Public Awareness Campaigns</div><div class='timeline-text'>Numerous campaigns are launched to educate the public about the risks of pet obesity, emphasizing the role of exercise and diet in a pet's wellbeing.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Pandemic Impact on Pet Weight</div><div class='timeline-text'>The global pandemic leads to a surge in pet weight gain as owners and pets adjust to staying at home, highlighting the importance of addressing pet obesity.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Walk your pet</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take your pet out for a good, long walk. This will help with their overall health and weight.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Switch up their food</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Switch up your pet's food to something healthier and with fewer calories. Look for foods that are lower in fat and higher in protein.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Play more with your pet</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spend more time playing with your pet, as this helps to burn off those extra calories. Try playing fetch or hide and seek.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Monitor their treats</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Be mindful of the treats you give your pet and try to limit them as much as possible.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit the vet</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Make sure to take your pet to the vet for regular checkups to ensure they are healthy.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Pet obesity has serious health consequences</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Just like humans, obese pets are at an increased risk for developing chronic diseases and conditions. These can include diabetes, joint problems, arthritis, heart failure and other serious illnesses that can severely impact their quality of life.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Pets need proper nutrition</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Pet Obesity Day brings awareness to the importance of providing our pets with nutritious food that is appropriate for their age and activity level. Eating too much of the wrong kinds of food or not getting enough exercise can contribute to pet obesity and its associated health risks.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Early intervention is key</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By recognizing the signs of pet obesity early on, we can help prevent health issues down the road before they become more serious. Talk to your veterinarian about nutrition and exercise plans tailored specifically for your pet's needs - with a little effort, it can make a big difference in their long term wellbeing!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Obesity Affects Lifespan of Pets</h3><p class='facts-content'>Studies indicate that overweight dogs may live up to 2.5 years less than their fitter counterparts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in pets.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Obesity is the Most Common Nutritional Disorder in Pets</h3><p class='facts-content'>According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, over 50% of dogs and cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese, confirming that pet obesity is a prevalent issue.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cats are More Susceptible to Obesity Than Dogs</h3><p class='facts-content'>Research shows that cats may be at a higher risk for obesity due to their sedentary lifestyle, demonstrating the need for active playtime and portion control in their diet.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Obesity Can Cause Behavioral Changes in Pets</h3><p class='facts-content'>Weight issues can lead to pets becoming less active and more lethargic, which in turn can make it harder for them to lose weight – a vicious cycle of pet obesity.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Obesity in Pets Can Influence Owner's Health Too</h3><p class='facts-content'>An overweight pet can indicate an owner’s struggle with weight control too, underlining how our lifestyle choices can impact both us and our pets.</p></div></div>
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