Pets are getting fatter because of their increasingly sedentary lifestyles and they are being overfed, and more than one in seven cats and dogs in Ohio are now overweight or obese, according to a new report.

Pets that pack on the pounds are more likely to develop debilitating medical conditions that can reduce their quality of life and result in hefty veterinarian bills for owners.

Experts recommend that owners learn to recognize the tell-tale signs of animal obesity, and help trim their pets’ waistlines through exercise and different feeding habits.

“I think a lot of times, the pet owner just doesn’t know how to tell when their pet is overweight,” said Leslie Abernathy, a veterinarian with Banfield Pet Hospital at 4333 Feedwire Road in Dayton. “But being overweight can lead to a lot of other health issues.”

In Ohio, about 17 out of 100 dogs and 16 out of 100 cats are overweight or obese, according to a recent report by Banfield Pet Hospital. Banfield is one of the largest veterinary practices in the world with 800 hospitals across the country, including several in this region.

Overweight pets are at least 20 percent heavier than their ideal weight, while obese pets are 40 percent or more above those weights.

Abernathy said more pets are getting fat partly because of the sedentary lifestyles of their owners, and also because more people are living in apartments or condominiums, which lack backyards and other opportunities for their animals to play outside.

“We are not seeing them get as much exercise, but people are still feeding them the same amount of food they would be if they were out and roaming around and expending all that energy,” she said.

Some owners also feed their pets too many treats and scraps, which are often packed with calories.

While some owners may find their pets’ girth cute, Abernathy said obese pets are more likely to experience troubles with arthritis, kidney disease and cancer, Medical conditions resulting from their heaviness can cause animals a lot of pain and shorten their lifespans.

“If they are overweight and have these other diseases, they may be in a lot of pain, have a hard time getting up and down stairs and they are not able to do the things they like to do, like chase that mouse or go play with that ball,” she said.

Additionally, the costs associated with paying for an animal’s medical treatment and prescriptions can be quite pricey.

An animal is likely too heavy if its owner is unable to easily feel its ribs or see a waist. A pet may also be obese if it has an aversion to exercise and constantly begs or searches for food.

Abernathy said owners can help their animals lose weight by cutting down on treats and making them exercise more by taking more walks or by playing games inside.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2000 or cfrolik@DaytonDailyNews.com.