APOP Report

State of Pet Obesity (United States)

2022 Edition Dogs and cats evaluated by U.S. veterinary professionals and surveyed U.S. pet owners.

This report synthesizes APOP’s U.S. survey data to describe obesity prevalence and trends, feeding practices, owner perceptions, and clinical opportunities for earlier identification and long-term management.

Executive Summary

Pet obesity remains one of the most significant and persistent health challenges affecting companion animals in the United States. The State of Pet Obesity synthesizes data from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention’s (APOP) national surveys to evaluate trends in obesity prevalence, feeding practices, owner perceptions, and clinical assessment over time.

In 2022, 59% of dogs and 61% of cats evaluated by veterinary professionals in the United States were classified as overweight or having obesity.

Substantial gaps persist between clinical assessment and pet owner perception, representing a major barrier to early intervention.

The data support treating obesity as a chronic, multifactorial disease requiring earlier identification, consistent monitoring, and coordinated clinical care, with a shift toward evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies.

Key Findings

Highlights from the 2022 U.S. report. The full report provides additional detail and context.

Key Findings
Obesity remains highly prevalent in U.S. companion animals.
In 2022, 59% of dogs and 61% of cats evaluated by U.S. veterinary professionals were classified as overweight or having obesity.
Owner perception continues to diverge from clinical assessment.
Many owners of overweight or obese pets perceived their pet’s body condition as “normal” or “ideal.”
Obesity patterns vary by age, species, and size.
Prevalence increases with age and differs across species and dog size categories.
Feeding practices remain inconsistent with recommendations.
Free-choice feeding, frequent treats, and inconsistent portion measurement remain common.

Data source: Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) U.S. Prevalence and Opinion Surveys.