I was shocked to learn from the Wall Street Journal that America’s pets are as fat as their owners. Nearly 50% are overweight and 20% are obese. Dr. Randy Regutnick, founder and CEO of the Fat Pet Centers, considered the pioneer in this field, was happy to talk to me about his work.
“Dr. Regutnick, how did you get started?â€
“In 1995, I was a struggling young vet in Silver Spring, Maryland, and this nice lady came into my office with her pussy cat in a Radio Flyer Wagon. She needed the wagon because her cat, Rhino, weighed 44 pounds and she couldn’t lift it. Heck, the cat could hardly walk.
“I had always been a health nut, so I put the cat on a strict, healthy diet that I devised on the spot. Then, overnight, I built a customized chase wheel with a live mouse in a small cage — which the cat couldn’t reach — and within four months the cat was down to 12 pounds. The Washington Post reported my success and, overnight, I was flooded with fat dogs and cats. My practice took off. I had to double my office space and hire three more vets.