kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and KilleenPet Obesity Is A Growing Problem

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Battling the bulge is not just a problem for people - it's a problem for their pets too.

People are spending more on vet bills and pet obesity is one of the main reasons for those visits.

She was the cutest little puppy when I saw her so I had to have her," said dog owner Katie Blackwell. And ever since she hasn't been able to say no to her mini Dachshund Missy - who at 13 pounds is three pounds too heavy.

"I kind of did it to her myself. Basically living alone, I feed her treats whenever I leave because she has separation anxiety," said Blackwell.

Westlake Animal Hospital Dr. Ian Voelzel says calories in each treat--could be ten percent of a dog's daily requirement.

"Doesn't seem like much for us, but it's like eating a triple meat cheeseburger for a snack," said Dr. Voelzel.

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention an estimated 54 percent of cats and dogs in the use are either overweight or obese, that adds up to about 93 million pets in America.

Dr. Voelzel says many people are surprised to learn their pets are overweight or obese, but he says there are simple ways you can tell.

"From the top they should come in from their ribs and have a little bit of a waist and then and then back out at their hips," said Dr. Voelzel. "I like to feel their last few ribs with light pressure and with that we want it to feel like the backs of our fingers...from underneath you should have a nice tuck up, especially on cats they'll get this pooch," he said.

Angie Shipe's cat Greta frequently plays lying down.

"I could tell she was unhealthy when I got her in the family. After adopting her, her joints I could tell, her joints were tired, and it's painful for her to jump up," said Shipe.

In the last year Shipe got her off junk food, including potato chips.

"She will knock you over for potato chips, so I know that she's eaten a lot of potato chips in her life," said Shipe.

And with a healthy diet--Greta lost three pounds in the last year.

"What I learned is cats that eat a high carbohydrate food, it's like McDonald's to them, and I think she was raised on that, so I switched her to a very high protein food and it seems to have worked for her," said Shipe.

And vets say keeping pets at an ideal weight will keep them alive at least two years longer.

"She's my baby, so I want to do what's best for her and try to keep her as healthy as possible," said Blackwell