What causes some pets to become overweight?

It is just a pet theory of mine, but I think it is because of overfeeding.

I suppose if feeding became some sort of emotional ritual that might happen. Or if the animal is given a lot of snacks and treats it may lose its natural ability to regulate itself.

I mean, humans have the benefit of supposed intelligence and foresight, and they still get fat like nobody’s business.
Why would animals fare any better?

Being fed “treats” continually and not being exercised.

Because they are closer to their instincts than we are @ragingloli . Instinct tells them when to stop and they have no reason to keep on eating after they’re full….. Well, unless, like @flutherother pointed out, there is a human dangling treats and snacks in front of them when they aren’t hungry.

@Dutchess_III
I would say the opposite.
Instinct drives humans and animals to eat and eat and eat, because there is starvation in the future, since everyone evolved in a resource scarce environment.

Usually diet. I saw dozens of obese animals, when I worked with them. It was really sad, because the owners usually fed them a lot because they loved them. We had a 160 lb German Shepherd come in once. He was owned by two really nice older ladies. They fed him steak every day. He should have weighed about 70 lbs. He died of a thrown clot. When those fat guys get sick, they die quick of organ failure, pneumonia, or clots. They suffer a lot before they die.

I saw a 39 lb cat brought in DOA. It was just crazy sad looking. It’s belly fat dragged the ground….

With dogs, it seems to arise from being fed from the table in addition to the normal dogfood meal. Couple with not enough exercise, because the owner is too out of shape to walk the dog sufficently, and you get a fat fido.

Not to derail this thread on pets, but the human obesity epidemic is a recent development, @ragingloli.

so is the over abundance of cheap, calorie rich food.

Sugars.

Judging from my own pets and my friends’ pets I can safely say the fault lies in the inability of owner to understand their own pets’ daily food intake requirement, sometimes it’s the owner’s selfish desire to feed the pets snacks simply because they can’t resist the urge to do so or just happy watching the pet eat, these situation can also be exacerbated by their pets’ lack of daily exercise to burn off the extra calorie. Don’t blame the pets, blame the owners. In my case, it wasn’t me who offer snacks all the time to our house pets, my family members can’t resist to offer table scraps (or whatever they’re eating at the moment) when the pets approach them with that you-know-what cute attitude. I am a responsible owner and I’m tired of lecturing my family about the innecessity of extra food.

Earlier in the year we thought we were going to lose both dogs at about the same time, and all rules just went out the window. Dutchess was allowed on the couch anytime she wanted (I had it covered with a sheet,) and that led to some hilarious moments as she would look at me like, “OMG! Mom’s gonna kill me!!!” But she got used to it.
I also started feeding them bits of whatever I was eating right from my had, which has always been a big NO for me (but not for Rick.) If I had some left over I might put it in their bowl when they weren’t looking, so they wouldn’t associate it with me.
Dutchess died in Feb. or so, but Dakota is still with us. And she turned into the most ill mannered, spoiled brat dog in the world! Finally about 3 weeks ago I said, ”ENOUGH!!” and stopped with the hand feeding crap.
”No, Dakota.. You can not have any of my food. No, don’t even bother getting up because the answer is NO!”
It took a while, but she’s almost back to normal. She barely reacts when I walk by her with food.

Like humans, lack of exercise and too many fattening foods and snacks.

Well, dogs do like sugar, just like humans @rebbel.

Yeah, which makes both fat.

Too much of it sure can, @rebbel.

Portion control (human measure and count the feedings). Which food they get is important too.
My vet asks how big the measurement cup is and how many times a day the dogs get fed.

Guess I’m doing it all wrong @Tropical_Willie.
We started feeding her Kibbles and Bits about 2 years ago. It’s softer and easier on her old teeth.

@ragingloli ~ cheap, fattening food has been in abundance long before now. It was everywhere in the 60s and 70s, which are the decades I remember. I’m sure it was around in earlier times. And some people were fat in the 60s and 70s,but nothing compared to today. Something in our attitude about food has changed, not the food itself.

Owners who overfeed their baby & don’t make them exercise enough!!! It’s very easy to spoil our cute little bundle of fur & many just don’t take the time to take them out to exercise.

Too much food and/or lack of exercise.

As you’re feeding her, cut back just a little bit every day & gradually bring her down to a better amount. IF you feed her 2 cups a day, bring it down to 1–½ cups for a few days & see if she notices. IF it doesn’t seem to be harming her, continue on the reduced amount. My female will eat everything that I put in her bowl where my male only eats what he needs. I have to be careful because she will sneak in behind him & eat anything that he leaves in his bowl. Right after I first got my girl, I thought she was pregnant because she was getting so fat. The vet insisted that she wasn’t preggers & suggested I put her on a diet. I cut her food back by about 25% & now she’s regained her school girl figure!!!

Just like people.

Too many calories in compared to calories used.

Dogs who are neutered can gain weight as a result of the procedure.

@LadyMarissa Thanks but I don’t have any over weight pets. Just an old one and an asshole cat who plays head games with the food.

@josie Right?