#1 Killer of Pets

Some people say its Shelters who kill about 3 to 4 million pets a year, others say that it is cancer which kills about 1 million dogs a year.

The answer depends on what you understand the question to be: The number one natural killer of dogs? Or the number one killer of dogs across the board?

Here are some of the top candidates in this debate.

Candidate #1: Obesity

Obesity is a huge concern in today's pet population. Just like in humans, obese pets are more prone to certain diseases and have shorter life spans. Check out these facts from the AVMA Journal:

>Even a little extra weight, as little as 20% more can put your pet at risk of developing diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.

>Obese cats are more than TWICE as likely as cats of optimal weight to develop non-allergic skin conditions.

>Obese cats are FOUR times as likely to develop diabetes mellitus.

>Obese cats are FIVE times as likely to develop lameness requiring veterinary care.

>Diet restriction in dogs increased median life span and delayed the onset of signs of chronic disease.

Candidate #2:
Pet Over Population

Check out some of these stats from The National Council on Pet Population: Study and Policy

>The Humane Society of the United States estimates that between 3 and 4 Million pets are euthanized in shelters every year.

>30% of dogs and 5% of cats are reclaimed by their owners at shelters

>25% of dogs in shelters are purebred.

Candidate #3: Cancer

>It is estimated that 1 in 4 dogs will die because of cancer, which technically makes it the number one killer (about 1 million a year). All dogs are susceptible, but Golden retrievers are especially prone. 60% of them will develop cancer at some point.

>Dogs have 35 times as much skin cancer as humans do.

>Dog have 4 times as many breast tumors.

>Dogs have 8 times as much bone cancer

>Dogs have twice the rate of leukemia.

>White cats are prone to skin carcinomas.

Click here to learn more about: Cancer in Dogs.