Almost 60% of dogs and 40% of cats in the UK and Ireland are overweight or obese, according to Ian Williams, BVSs MRCVS, Royal CaninWith obesity comes a range of associated pathologies ranging from upper respiratory tract diseases and cardiopulmonary diseases to metabolic disorders, osteoarticular diseases, urinary diseases, tumours and diabetes. In essence, obesity equals a decreased life expectancy and a reduced quality oflife.That said, obesity remains a difficult problem to address as often the pet owner doesn't recognise or acknowledge a problem with obesity. Or perhaps they have a fear of starving their pet and are unaware of the gravity of the pathology. For professionals, convincing the owner of the need to take action to tackle a pet's weight can be a difficult message to explain, not least because obesity is not normally the reason for the consultation, therefore it is not a priority in the mind of the owner. Royal Canin has developed a new weight management programme which tackles the inherent issues surrounding obesity, in order to deliver better long term success for owners and their pets.
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