Weighing in on Pet Obesity

A staggering 33% of American adults are obese. But, if you think this problem is limited just to humans, think again. Our lifestyles directly affect our pets, so the number of obese pets has risen at a similar rate in the last few years.

As in humans, the primary causes of obesity in pets are overeating and underexercising. It is estimated that 25 to 30% of cats and as much as 50% of dogs in America are obese today. Unfortunately, many pet owners are totally unaware that their pet is overweight and equally unaware of the health problems their pet can suffer due to obesity.

Pet Care Tax Deductions

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last few years, you’ve noticed that costs have increased pretty much across the board – including health care costs for both people and their pets.

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked (tongue-in-cheek, of course) if they could write off their pet’s surgery expense, I’d be a wealthy woman. Of course, we all had a good laugh trying to come up with ways Mr. Smith could claim his dog as a qualified dependent.