Health Connects Us All: Preparing for the 2026 Global Prevalence Study
A Message from Dr. Ernie Ward
While World Pet Obesity Month takes place in October, the work to better understand and address obesity continues throughout the year. Early 2026 marks an important step as we prepare for the next global cycle of pet data collection, education, and engagement.
In this cycle, we are opening early sign-up for the 2026 Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey, with digital recognition and a thank-you raffle for participating clinics to acknowledge the time and commitment involved. Consistent, practice-level data remain essential for understanding trends, identifying gaps in care, and shaping education and policy across regions and species. If your clinic, organization, or corporate group can help collect data in October, we encourage you to register now.
October Is World Pet Obesity Month. This Year, the Data Matters More Than Ever.
October 2026 has been designated as a prevalence study year for the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). Early registration is now open for clinics and organizations interested in contributing standardized body condition data to the 2026 survey cycle.
The prevalence study is designed to collect practice-level data using consistent body condition scoring methodology in order to better characterize clinical obesity trends in dogs and cats across regions and care settings. Aggregated findings will inform educational initiatives, professional dialogue, and future policy considerations related to companion animal obesity.
Participating clinics will receive digital recognition acknowledging their contribution to national and global data collection efforts.
Feline Obesity: Still Underrecognized, Still Undermanaged
Our surveys and research continue to indicate that feline obesity remains more socially accepted and less consistently identified than canine obesity.
Differences in body conformation, coat length, activity patterns, and the primordial pouch can make excess adiposity harder to recognize in cats. As a result, obesity in cats is often normalized rather than recognized as a medical condition, underscoring the importance of standardized body condition assessment and prevalence data.
Tool Spotlight: The Human–Pet Weight Translator
Communicating obesity risk remains one of the most challenging conversations in veterinary practice. Many pet owners struggle to understand what excess weight truly means for their animal’s health.
The APOP Human-to-Pet Weight Translator was originally developed nearly 15 years ago as a clinical communication aid to help bridge that gap. We have updated the tool to better help pet owners visualize pet obesity in a human-equivalent context. This clinical resource offers a clearer, more relatable way to explain the health risks of obesity without blame or judgment.
When used alongside the Body Condition Score (BCS) and a physical examination, the translator supports more productive conversations, improves client understanding, and reinforces obesity as a medical condition rather than a cosmetic concern.
Other Tools & Resources
APOP continues to provide practical tools to support consistent obesity assessment and management:
Daily Energy Needs (DER/MER) Calculator
Daily Feeding Calculators (Dog | Cat)
Step Weight-Loss Calculator (Veterinarians)
Pet Weight Check Estimator
9-Point Body Condition Score Charts for dogs, cats, rabbits, and horses
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We acknowledge and appreciate the industry partners who support APOP’s mission to advance companion animal health through awareness, prevention, and evidence-informed obesity care.