Banfield Pet Hospital examined data from 2.5 million dogs and 500,000 cats around the country and found that approximately one-third are overweight.
[Ads /]
Overweight pets experience higher incidences of arthritis, diabetes and heart disease.
The hospital, which has more than 900 centers across the country, urged pet owners to make exercise a priority for pets and avoid overfeeding.
[Ads /]
Pet owners should remain vigilant about how much food pets are consuming. Treats throughout the day can dramatically throw off a cat or dog's nutrition -- owners should look for snacks that are low in sugar and calories.
SEE ALSO: What you need to know when adopting a cat
Report a typo to the ABC13 staff