With almost 100 million pets in the United States suffering from excess weight or obesity, lots of dogs and cats need to shed some pounds. But unfortunately, many of us can’t see the problem in our own furry friends.

Routine wellness examinations are a great time for us to relate details about what our pets eat and how active they are. Armed with that information, veterinarians can accurately evaluate our pets’ condition. Then, it’s up to us to discuss the findings with an open mind. Remember: a diagnosis of obesity isn’t meant to be judgmental. It’s simply a medical diagnosis for us to treat as a team.

As in people, obesity in our pets has many causes and can result in serious health problems. That’s why helping our buddies lose weight can dramatically improve their quality of life. What could be better than that?