Everybody loves their pets. That is if you own one.They are there for you when you come home.No matter how your day goes you know your pet is always there for you. Your pet then lifts it paws to point over to the empty bowl signaling that he/she is hungry.Your tired so just land up putting some food in your pet’s bowl.But then you suddenly notice your pets movement have become sluggish.What used to be a nice small ball of fur isn’t so light anymore.You head out to the vet who tells you that your pet is overweight.Fat cats and dogs are expected to outstrip healthy ones within five years, as pet obesity rates continue to rise across the country.Eighty per cent of veterinary professionals reported seeing an increase in levels of pet obesity in the last two years, with increasing numbers of overweight dogs, cats, rabbits and even small rodents being brought into their surgeries for treatment. U.S. pet obesity rates continued to increase in 2012 with the number of overweight cats reaching an all-time high.In the US, over 44% of dogs and 57% of cats are now estimated to be overweight or obese according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.Pet obesity continues to emerge as a leading cause of preventable disease and death in dogs and cats. Our pets are in real danger of not living as long as previous generations and developing serious and costly diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, and other largely avoidable conditions.According to a study, 7.2 million dogs are estimated to be obese and 26 million overweight. The number in cats is higher, with 15.7 million estimated to be obese and 35 million overweight. A recent study out of The Netherlands published in Public Health Nutrition reveals that people who have overweight dogs are more likely to be overweight themselves.Obesity can be defined as an excess of body fat that is enough to impair health, welfare and quality of life. It can affect all types of pet, and the main cause is from eating too much or not exercising enough, although some diseases can cause obesity.Carrying excess weight is a health issue that can lead to serious health problems. For example, osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems, kidney disease, and shortened life expectancy are all related to being overweight or obese. Many costly joint-related surgeries can be avoided if pets are able to maintain a normal weight. Aging pets can also benefit from being lean. As pets age, being overweight or obese can lead to severe joint pain and arthritic crippling. Proper diet and exercise can ease some of this age-related pain.In Order to protect this person who has now become part of the family you can take some simple measure to curb pet obesity:Eating smaller portion sizes,getting some exercises,eating food suggested by vets etc.