More Pet Owners Recognize Obesity as a Health Problem

Happy National Pet Obesity Awareness Day! Keeping furry best friends happy and healthy is a lifelong responsibility. The right balance of nutrition, exercise, and love helps them live longer and more comfortably.

More pet owners now see helping their pets maintain a healthy weight as a sign of responsible care. A 2024 survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that more Americans are recognizing weight issues in their animal companions. Among participants, 35% of dog owners and 33% of cat owners said their animals were overweight or obese, up from 17% and 28% the previous year.

Extra weight can limit a cat's mobility and shorten their lifespan. Photo courtesy of Andriy Blokhin / Shutterstock

Pet owners can struggle to recognize when their animals are overweight. Familiarity and bias can conceal small changes that gradually emerge over time. About 45% of dog guardians and 40% of cat guardians said they knew how to use a body condition score, a tool for evaluating an animal’s physical state. Only 27% of dog owners and 19% of cat owners recalled their veterinarian providing one.

Obesity can’t dim the spirit of a good dog, but it can make the journey harder. Photo courtesy of Kirill Rahcheev / Unsplash

While 86% of respondents said they believe their veterinarian would feel comfortable discussing obesity, some recalled hearing terms like “fluffy” or “well-fed” instead of clinical language. The survey notes that such phrasing, though often well-intentioned, can minimize the medical seriousness of obesity and make it harder to begin open, stigma-free conversations about a pet’s health.

The survey showed that pet owners are acting on their concerns. 62% of dog owners and 53% of cat owners have tried to help their pets lose weight. 16% of dog owners and 25% of cat owners reported using therapeutic foods, and about one-third said they would consider medications if proven safe and affordable. Small, simple changes like measuring meals or adding a few extra minutes of play can make a difference over time.

Obesity Resources for Pet Owners:

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention offers annual pet weight surveys, calorie calculators, and pet obesity data for dog and cat owners.

The American Veterinary Medical Association provides guidance on maintaining pets at a healthy weight and tips for discussing care and diet with veterinarians.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association Body Condition Score Tool features illustrated charts and step-by-step instructions for assessing your dog or cat.