It is not just people who are facing an obesity crisis – our pets are too.
Up to a third of cats and dogs in New Zealand are considered overweight or obese while in the US the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention paints an even grimmer picture showing 60 per cent of cats and 56 per cent of dogs tip the scales at unhealthy weights.
And, it seems, owners carry much of the blame. Not only are many unaware overweight pets are at risk of developing diabetes, arthritis and other diseases, the desire to give our four-legged furry friends treats from the dinner table is seen as a major part of the problem.
Even if your pet loves you for it - which it probably will - this is not a good idea says Dr Danielle Page, professional consulting veterinarian with pet food company Hill's Pet Nutrition.
"While it can be hard to ignore those puppy dog eyes looking at you, feeding your dog (in this way) can often result in weight gain among other more serious issues," she says. "As a general rule of thumb it is best to avoid feeding your dog calorie dense human food and to make sure that treats account for no more than 10 per cent of a pet's daily caloric intake.
"Numerous factors play into the long, happy life of a pet, but high quality and nutritious food is where it begins."
Page says there are many no-nos when it comes to food. Chocolate is well known to be harmful to both dogs and cats, grapes and raisins have been associated with kidney failure in dogs, small amounts of alcohol found in drinks, syrups and raw bread dough can be poisonous to them while dairy products can upset a dog's and cat's digestive system.
And just as it is for humans, eating raw eggs or raw meat can lead to salmonella or E.coli poisoning in our pets. "We take food safety very seriously at Hill's and perform salmonella testing on every batch of food produced."
Page says at the end of the day it takes the right balance of nutrients to achieve optimal health for pets; it is for this reason foods like Hill's Science Diet are formulated to meet specific nutritional needs and deliver the ingredients to meet them.
She says it is important for owners to recognise the crucial nutrients pets need - protein, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and fats.
"Well-balanced food contains nutrients that keep your pet's coat healthy and shiny, strengthens the immune system, keeps the digestive system working properly and helps them maintain a healthy lifestyle," she says. "If you are unsure, your veterinarian will advise on what to look for."
But Page says it is also important to update a pet's nutritional needs as they age because these can change depending on their stage of life – or if they have other health issues such as arthritis or kidney disease which are common in senior pets.
"For both dogs and cats we (Hill's) have nutrition that supports them at each lifestage from puppy and kitten (up to 12 months of age), adult (one to six years) and mature (seven years and over)."
Page advises owners to consider the quality of the manufacturer when deciding on food for their pets.
She says Hill's has more than 220 veterinarians, food scientists, technicians and nutritionists developing foods. They examine each ingredient used to ensure its safety, conduct an analysis to ensure the essential nutrient profile is met and carry out safety checks every day on their products.
"Choosing a Hill's Science Diet lifestage pet food gives you the peace of mind in knowing you're feeding nutrition from a company with a more than 60-year history of formulating pet foods with optimum nutrient levels.
"Pets give unconditional love every day," says Page. "Identifying healthy food shows your pet how much love you have to give back."
# The data relating to New Zealand pets came from figures published to support Pet Obesity Awareness Day in 2015.