Obesity Report Released to Tackle Rising Pet Obesity
UK Pet Food’s latest report reveals a continued rise in pet obesity across the UK. Surveys of vets and pet owners[i], expose a sharp contrast in perceptions—while only 4% of owners think their pets need to lose weight, vets say 50% of dogs, along with other species, are overweight.
In response, UK Pet Food has brought together experts to share comprehensive advice and toolkits, aiming to support owners in managing their pets' weight. The report features input from vets, nutritionists, retailers, and Industry experts, with actionable steps and UK Pet Food's "Weighty Areas of Focus" commitments. Even small steps can bring meaningful change, showing that tackling obesity is achievable with the right guidance.
Key Findings:
- Obesity Rates: 50% of dogs, 43% of cats, 31% of small mammals, and 9% of birds are overweight. All figures have increased since the study conducted ten years ago[ii].
- Veterinary Concerns: 100% of vets expressed concern about the growing obesity problem.
- Owner Perceptions: Despite rising rates, 77% of owners believe their pet is at a healthy weight, with just 4% acknowledging the need for weight loss.
Nicole Paley, Deputy CEO of UK Pet Food, stresses the need for awareness of the issue but also recognises the excellent support available: “Pet obesity, much like human health, is a complex issue. While there’s a gap between how owners perceive their pets’ weight and the reality, there’s also a vast amount of expertise and strong commitment from all sides to address this challenge.
This is our fourth report, published every five years, and for the first time, we’ve included practical toolkits for frontline professionals like vet nurses and retailers. These resources are designed to help initiate important conversations with pet owners, supporting them on their pets' weight management journey.”
As Joy Shutt Head Vet Nurse and BVNA advocate, who is in the photograph below with weight clinic pet, chocolate lab 'Woody', writes in the report: "We need to be talking about body condition from the get-go".
Additional Insights into Pet Care Habits:
The report also reveals troubling trends about pet care habits:
- Low Monitoring: Only 25% of pet owners regularly weigh their pets, and just 7% know how to assess their pet’s body condition correctly.
- Lack of Professional Advice: Half of the pet owners surveyed have never consulted a veterinarian or vet nurse about their pet’s weight.
- Feeding Misconceptions: Although 63% of owners claim to follow feeding guidelines, many still engage in counterproductive practices, such as feeding human food scraps (34%) and not weighing out pet food (18%).
Cat Henstridge, Vet Surgeon and Veterinary Influencer as ‘Cat the Vet’ explains: “Fat cats, rotund rabbits, and dumpy dogs have sadly become the norm in our pet population, significantly reducing both their quality and length of life. Obesity is a complex, multifactorial disease, making weight loss a challenge for any pet. However, given the severe health risks, it's vital that we, as animal care experts, support owners in helping their pets shed those extra pounds. UK Pet Food’s Obesity Report is a great resource with useful Appendices for professionals so we can work together to encourage change.”
For more information, please visit ukpetfood.org.
[i] UK Pet Food conducted a survey of 148 veterinary professionals at LVS in November 2023 and a Kantar / Soulor Consulting online survey of 2558 households were asked questions about pet health and habits in March 2024.
[ii] According to vets: 50% of dogs, 43% of cats and 31% of small mammals and 9% of birds are currently overweight or obese. Our report in 2014: 45% of dogs, 40% of cats and 28% of small mammals.