“It’s not just a people problem: Growing rates of obesity in pets have led to the emergence of fat farms offering “pawlates,” “doga” and “barko polo” — doggy versions of Pilates, yoga and Marco Polo — to help slim down man’s best friend.
In the United States, 53 percent of dogs are overweight, up from 45 percent four years ago. In cats, the figure is almost 58 percent, said Ernie Ward, a veterinarian and founder of the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention in Calabash, North Carolina. Overweight pets can suffer diabetes, joint problems, heart disease and decreased life expectancy, he said.