Articles and News

Dr. Ernie Ward Dr. Ernie Ward

What’s Weighing Us Down: Study Uncovers Implicit Bias in Veterinary Obesity Care

Obesity is one of the most common and debilitating chronic diseases in dogs and cats today. You’d think that means we’re pretty good at spotting it, talking about it, and treating it. However, a new study conducted at the Ontario Veterinary College suggests that veterinary professionals may not be as objective as we think when it comes to pet obesity, and our unconscious biases might be part of the reason we’re not doing a better job with our patients and clients.

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Dr. Ernie Ward Dr. Ernie Ward

2024 Survey Reveals Shifts in Pet Obesity Awareness—and Where We Still Fall Short - Press Release

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) has released its 2024 Pet Obesity & Nutrition Opinion Survey results, revealing evolving pet owner awareness and ongoing communication challenges around pet obesity. The survey, which includes responses from over 580 participants, offers a critical pulse on how U.S. pet owners perceive and manage their pets’ body conditions.

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Guest User Guest User

Press Release: Hill’s Pet Nutrition and The Association For Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) Unite to Combat Pet Obesity

"We are proud to collaborate with Hill’s as we work together to advance research on understanding pet obesity bias and promoting evidence-based treatments for obesity," said Dr. Ernie Ward, Founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. "Hill’s has been a leader in advancing pet health through innovative nutrition and research, and their commitment to addressing the complex communication challenges of pet obesity is truly commendable."

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Dr. Ernie Ward Dr. Ernie Ward

The Importance of Treating Obesity First

An “obesity first” strategy should be implemented for animals suffering from chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, insulin resistance, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, hypertension, and more. In simplest terms, “obesity first” means we treat obesity as a priority when confronting these obesity-associated disorders. By losing excess body fat and increasing lean muscle mass, nearly all of these chronic diseases can improve, and some may even experience remission.

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