State of Pet Obesity in the United States
Pet obesity remains one of the most significant health challenges affecting companion animals in the United States. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention’s State of Pet Obesity report analyzes national survey data from veterinary professionals and pet owners to track obesity prevalence, feeding behaviors, perception gaps, and clinical trends. The 2022 edition provides updated statistics on dogs and cats and highlights opportunities for earlier identification and long-term weight management.
Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 2022 U.S. Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey.
Executive summary
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.
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 pets that were overweight or had obesity 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.
Media and citation information
The State of Pet Obesity in the United States is published by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) and serves as a national reference for journalists, researchers, veterinary professionals, and policymakers reporting on companion animal health trends. Media outlets and academic authors are encouraged to cite this report when referencing U.S. pet obesity prevalence, owner perception data, and feeding trends.
Suggested citation
Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (2022). State of Pet Obesity in the United States. Available at: PetObesityPrevention.org
Media relations
For media inquiries, interview requests, data clarification, or expert commentary, contact the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention at info@petobesityprevention.org.