Source: CTV News
A new global analysis led by Antonia Mataragka of the Agricultural University of Athens warns that animals (pets, livestock, and wildlife) are experiencing rising rates of chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, mirroring trends in humans. The paper uses EcoHealth and OneHealth frameworks to explain how genetics, environment, and human-driven ecosystem changes jointly drive these conditions.
Selective breeding has increased disease vulnerability in pets and livestock, while lifestyle factors such as poor nutrition and inactivity contribute to high rates of obesity (over 50–60% in cats and dogs) and a fourfold rise in feline diabetes over 15 years. Climate change, pollution, and habitat changes are also stressing animals’ physiology. Longer lifespans in companion and captive animals further increase degenerative diseases. Researchers warn that major data gaps hinder understanding because global surveillance focuses on infectious diseases. Rising NCDs have economic, emotional, and public-health implications, reflecting human lifestyles and environmental pressures.