It’s time to stop burying your head in the litter box, pet owners — Fluffy isn’t pleasantly plump and Fido isn’t just lovably pudgy. America’s pets, like its people, are struggling with rising rates of obesity, say veterinarians, tipping the scales into chubbytown at a hefty percentage.

Local CBS 3 in Philadelphia says the fifth annual study by the Association for Pet Obesity found that 53% of adult dogs and 55% of cats are either overweight or obese. That’s a total of about 88.4 million pets across the nation, chowing down on kibble and gorging on Tuna Delite.

A big problem is that pet owners see obesity as normal, what vets call “fat pet gap.” Around 22% of dog owners and 15% of cat owners are in denial and see their pet’s weight as normal when it’s actually obese.

Processed treats from the store are a big culprit, and vets advise giving single-ingredient rewards for good behavior or fresh vegetables. Because everyone knows cats love lettuce!

Time to get Mr. Snugglesworth and Champ on that workout plan with you, perhaps.

Study: Pet Obesity On The Rise, Owners In Denial [CBS 3 Philadelphia]

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