Pet obesity on the rise for eighth consecutive year

Columbus, OH - One of America’s most common New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight, and statistics show that pet owners should share that goal with their dogs and cats. Data from Nationwide, the nation’s first and largest provider of pet health insurance, reveals that pet obesity is on the rise for the eighth straight year. Nearly 20 percent of Nationwide members’ pet insurance claims in 2017 were for conditions and diseases related to pet obesity- equaling a sum of more than $69 million in veterinary expenses. The boost in total obesity-related claims signifies a 24 percent increase over the last eight years.

As with people, excessive body fat in pets increases the risk of preventable health issues and may shorten the life expectancy of dogs and cats. Nationwide recently sorted through its database of more than 700,000 insured pets to determine the top 10 dog and cat conditions related to or made worse by obesity. Below are the results:

Most Common Dog Obesity-Related Conditions 

1. Arthritis
2. Bladder/Urinary Tract Disease
3. Liver Disease
4. Low Thyroid Hormone
5. Torn Knee Ligaments
6. Diseased Disc in the Spine
7. Diabetes
8. Chronic Kidney Disease

Most Common Cat Obesity-Related Conditions 

1. Bladder/Urinary Tract Disease
2. Chronic Kidney Disease
3. Diabetes
4. Asthma
5. Liver Disease
6. Arthritis
7. High Blood Pressure
8. Heart Failure

In 2017, Nationwide received more than 57,000 pet insurance claims for arthritis in dogs, the most common disease aggravated by excessive weight, which carried an average treatment fee of $323 per pet. With more than 5,800 pet insurance claims, bladder or urinary tract disease was the most common obesity-related condition in cats, which had an average claim amount of $495 per pet.

“Obesity can be detrimental to the livelihood of our pets,” said Carol McConnell, DVM, MBA, vice president and chief veterinary officer for Nationwide. “The New Year presents a perfect opportunity to create regular exercise routines for our pets and to effectively manage their eating habits to avoid excess weight gain. Scheduling a routine wellness exam with a veterinarian is an effective way to get started on monitoring your pet’s weight.”

Below are simple steps you can take to help regulate your pet’s weight:

• Avoid feeding your pet table scraps.
• Keep a consistent diet by monitoring the amount of food you give your pet.
• Regulate the amount of treats you give your pet and choose small treats, even for large dogs.
• Establish a healthy and fun exercise schedule.

*Consult your veterinarian to best determine your pet’s most effective weight loss protocol.

About Nationwide pet insurance 

With more than 700,000 insured pets, Nationwide is the first and largest provider of pet health insurance in the United States. Nationwide pet health insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Medical plans are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (CA), Columbus, OH, an A.M. Best A+ rated company (2017); National Casualty Company (all other states), Columbus, OH, an A.M. Best A+ rated company (2017). Agency of Record: DVM Insurance Agency. Pet owners can find Nationwide pet insurance on Facebook or follow on Twitter. For more information about Nationwide pet insurance, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit petinsurance.com.