Are we loving our pets to death?

UF Health Podcasts

Do you love your pet? No need to answer … of course you do.

You cherish your pup’s greeting when returning from work. You appreciate the moments your cat shows affection by brushing against your leg.

We all want our pets healthy and happy. They make us happy, too. Interacting with them lowers our cortisol levels and blood pressure.

The American Pet Products Association says nearly two-thirds of Americans have at least one pet. That’s a 10% increase from the number of American households that owned pets in 1988.

Americans spent more than $136 billion on their pets in 2022. You combine that with the fact that we pamper our pets with customized nutrition and accessories, such as knapsack carriers and cat hotels, some animal welfare ethicists and veterinary scientists wonder whether we have gone too far.

The more we treat our furry friends like people, they argue, the more dependent they become on us.

What’s the harm? Well, the health risks for our pets can start in breeding and become behavioral as well. Look at the French bulldog. The breed experiences difficulties breathing, among other severe health problems.

Many of us overfeed them. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimates that about 59 percent of dogs and 61 percent of cats are overweight.

Plus, as we bring our pets everywhere — restaurants, the grocery store, and in the car — they can experience separation anxiety and or act out.

And while head harnesses and electronic collars should keep your pets out of potential danger, they also limit freedom of expression and movement.

Remember, to ensure our own good health, we need to ensure theirs, too.