Final answer:
Cancer is the likely leading cause of death for pets in the US, characterized by abnormal cell growth. While heart disease is prevalent in humans, cancer is more common in pets, with most cases being noninfectious and influenced by genetics and environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to multiple studies, the leading cause of death for pets in the United States is likely cancer. Cancer is characterized by an out-of-control growth of abnormal cells that can invade or spread to other parts of the body. While heart disease is often cited as the leading cause of death in humans in the United States, partly due to a sedentary lifestyle and high trans-fat diets, cancer represents a more prevalent cause of death for our pets. Similar to humans, cancer in pets can arise from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, with most cases being noninfectious diseases. It is important to take preventive measures, regular screenings, and lifestyle choices into consideration to mitigate the risks.