APOP Veterinary Update | October 2026
World Pet Obesity Month 2026: Research and Tools for Veterinary Teams
World Pet Obesity Month brings an opportunity for veterinary teams to contribute to research and strengthen conversations about body condition, nutrition and weight care. For October 2026, APOP is inviting practices to participate in the Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey and explore updated communication guidance, clinical calculators and client education resources.
Help build the next picture of pet body condition
The 2026 Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey runs October 1 through December 31, 2026. Practices can choose one full day, two days or one week to record all consecutive eligible adult dogs and cats seen for qualifying visits, regardless of body condition.
Each record takes about one to two minutes and includes weight, veterinary-assessed body condition and the owner’s initial impression. A veterinarian or credentialed veterinary technician can serve as the practice’s Survey Champion to coordinate participation.
Because APOP conducts this survey only every few years, participation from returning and first-time practices across the country is important. The findings provide repeated clinic-based snapshots of body condition, not a random sample of all U.S. pets.
Qualifying U.S. practices receive a $50 stipend for staff time after at least 15 complete, eligible records pass APOP review. The stipend is not tied to the findings. Practices may decline it and have an equivalent amount donated to Morris Animal Foundation. Participating clinics also receive a 2026 Prevalence Study Partner badge and early access to the findings.
Learn more and register your practice:
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/2026-veterinary-clinic-pet-obesity-prevalence-survey
Find outreach materials to share with colleagues:
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/survey-partner-toolkit
Updated Communication Guidelines for clinical conversations
The updated Guidelines are easier to use with a dedicated, interactive webpage. You can select your role — veterinary professional, pet owner, journalist, and others — and go straight to the tools you need, including veterinary practice conversation scenarios, journalist writing checks, and plain-language guidance for pet owners. The PDF also now has a DOI and a permanent, citable reference.
For veterinary teams, the scenarios support conversations that explain findings, connect body condition to health and function, and establish practical next steps without blame. The Guidelines are a communication standard, not a clinical practice guideline or a replacement for individual clinical judgment.
Explore the 2026 Pet Obesity Communication Guidelines:
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/communication-guidelines
Guidelines DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68316/apop.0002
Clinical calculators and planning tools
APOP’s veterinary tools provide starting estimates and structured support for individual patient assessment and follow-up:
•Veterinary RER/MER Calculator: Estimate resting and maintenance energy requirements from current body weight as a clinical starting reference, not an active weight-loss plan.
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/veterinary-der-calculator
•Ideal Body Weight Estimator: Estimate a dog’s or cat’s target weight from current weight and body condition score.
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/ideal-body-weight-estimator
•Step-by-Step Weight Loss Planner: Build a structured plan with estimated ideal weight, weight-loss targets and recheck guidance.
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/step-weight-loss-calculator
•Pet Weight Recheck Tool: Compare weigh-ins and calculate percentage weight change to support follow-up.
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/weight-check
Interpret estimates alongside body condition, muscle condition, medical history and the patient’s response over time. Calculators support, rather than replace, veterinary assessment.
Explore the full calculator collection:
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/pet-caloric-calculators
Share your professional perspective
The separate 2026 Pet Obesity and Nutrition Opinion Survey asks veterinary professionals and pet owners about body condition, feeding, nutrition and weight management. Comparing their responses helps APOP understand differences in views and experiences.
The survey takes a few minutes and remains open through December 31, 2026. Respondents may enter an optional drawing for $50 gift cards. Veterinary teams are encouraged to participate and share the survey with colleagues and clients.
Take or share the Opinion Survey:
https://bit.ly/apop2026opinion
Resources to support client education
APOP’s client resources include a body-condition quiz, feeding and treat calculators, weight-care guides and a World Pet Obesity Month brochure. Use them to prepare clients for discussion and reinforce an individualized plan between visits; the quiz is a conversation starter, not a diagnosis.
Pet owner resources:
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/pet-owner-resources
Veterinary resources, including body and muscle condition charts:
https://www.petobesityprevention.org/veterinary-resources
World Pet Obesity Month takes place throughout October 2026. Both the Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey and the Pet Obesity and Nutrition Opinion Survey continue through December 31, 2026, giving practices time to participate beyond the awareness month.
