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.

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.

A recent study by the Association for Pet Obesity (APOP) sheds light on pet weight concerns in the United States. The 2022 U.S. Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey found a staggering 61% of cats and 59% of dogs are overweight or have obesity, indicating a widespread problem with pet health. However, a survey conducted in Winter 2023 among pet owners and veterinary professionals showed a lack of awareness about this issue. Only 28% of cat owners and 17% of dog owners acknowledged that their pets were overweight, with 84% of dogs and 70% of cat owners assessing their pets’ body condition as healthy.

“Over the past two decades, we have consistently observed a significant discrepancy between the prevalence of pet obesity and pet owners' recognition of this issue,” observed APOP Founder and President. Dr. Ernie Ward. “Pet owners reporting that ‘pet obesity is a problem, but not for my pet’ continues to be a communication hurdle for veterinary professionals. While the causes of obesity in animals are multifactorial, awareness of an unhealthy body condition is the first step in treating the disease.”