Watch pet weight-gain over holidays

Just like their owners, cats and dogs tend to gain weight between Thanksgiving and the new year, so you may want to think twice before giving pets special holiday treats this season.

An estimated 45 percent of the 130 million pets in the U.S. are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and cancer. Just how much weight gain those holiday treats can carry was quantified in a recent study conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.

The study followed 21 healthy adult dogs and 11 cats that were weighed Oct. 1 to Nov. 15, 2006, and re-weighed Jan. 15-Feb. 28, 2007.

The dogs included in the study gained an average of 0.3 pounds, and cats added 0.37 pounds. The age range for dogs in the study was 2 to 14 years with a median age of 7.8 years, and cats were 1 to 16 years with a median age of 7.6.

According to the association's founder, Dr. Ernie Ward of Calabash, N.C., each pound of weight on a dog is equivalent to five to seven pounds on a person, and each pound gained by a cat equals seven to 10 pounds. This equates to a person gaining one to two pounds during the holiday season, which is what previous studies done on humans have found.

Ward advises pet owners to watch portion sizes and avoid high-calorie treats during the holidays.

"We want our pets to share in our celebrations and often confuse affection with confection," he said. "Those extra calories add pounds that put our pet loved ones at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure and heart disease."

Ward recommends offering healthy treat alternatives for dogs, including carrots, broccoli, apples and celery. "While it's challenging to lose weight or diet during the holidays for many, our goal should be to maintain our current weight by making responsible, healthy food choice for both ourselves and our pets."

For more information and a sample menu for pets, visit www.PetObesityPrevention.com. Founded in 2005, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention is a group of veterinarians and veterinary healthcare experts dedicated to reducing the pet obesity epidemic.

By raising awareness of the dangers of pet obesity and providing obesity prevention and weight-loss techniques, their goal is to enhance the well-being of pet loved ones.

A key component of APOP's mission is to develop and promote parallel weight loss programs designed to help pet owners lose weight alongside their pets.