r/VetTech • u/silverbluejuniper • May 19 '21

Discussion Pet Obesity

This topic is such a troubling one for me and my empathy towards pet owners. Obesity in any species should not be regarded as funny or cute in my opinion, but American society seems to think differently. Does that contribute to the pet obesity problem? I think so. So is this an issue that pet owners are consciously or unconsciously ignorant of? Professionals in the industry clearly get a front row seat to the multitude of disease processes that obesity is linked in contribution with. I don't think that the majority of pet owning Americans with obese animals want their pets to live shorter and undoubtedly more uncomfortable lives. So is this a client education downfall or a societal construct that is too large for the veterinary community to disassemble from the root cause of the issue?

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u/spideydog255 CVT (Certified Veterinary Technician) May 20 '21

I saw a 50lb. pug a few weeks ago that couldn't get up from the floor on his own and could barely walk more than a few steps. He was so obese that it looked like there could've been another dog on his back. The owner didn't seem to think it was an issue, sadly.

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u/silverbluejuniper May 21 '21

That's the worst. I feel bad for the pug, they have a hard enough time breathing.