How to Tell if Your Pet is Overweight

Like their human counterparts, a large population of pets in the US are overweight. In some cases, obesity is caused by hormonal problems or genetics. Most often however, contributing factors include increasingly sedentary lifestyles, too many snacks and calorie-rich food. Animals who are overweight are more likely to suffer from heart and joint problems, loss of energy, diabetes and some types of cancer among other things. Knowing how to assess your pet's body condition is the first step in maintaining a healthy weight.