We all know that being severely overweight is dangerous. From stress on our joints to increased risk of heart disease and stroke, being obese is a serious medical issue. But when it comes to our pets, why do we often think it’s “cute” to see a fat feline or corpulent canine?

At his last checkup, my cat, Mischief, weighed in at 18 pounds. I knew he was a big boy and would steal his sister’s food, but I didn’t realize I was putting his health at risk by helping him pack on the pounds. The veterinarian gave me a stern — and much deserved — talking to about how his weight can seriously affect his health.

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Mischief is far from alone in his plumpness. Pet obesity has been on the rise in the United States in the past few decades. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Pre

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