National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Help in our mission to understand and solve the complex challenges of pet obesity.

Updates and Resources for the 2022 Veterinary Clinic Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey

The 2022 Veterinary Clinic Prevalence Survey begins Wednesday, October 12.

Working Together

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) is the leading non-profit organization of veterinary professionals, scientists, and pet industry representatives dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of pets with obesity and weight-related disorders.

Each year, with the help of APOP, veterinary clinics around the country assess the body condition, and health status of dogs and cats providing insight and interventions to recognize, treat, and prevent pet obesity. We survey pet parent and veterinary professional attitudes and opinions on important topics including pet food, nutrition, weight-related and pet health topics.

Through collective effort, we provide better clinical resources and tools, promote evidence-based obesity and weight loss interventions and drive important research to understand the health impacts and complex causes of weight and obesity-related disorders. 

Working together to improve the health and well-being of the pets we love.

Pet Weight Loss Tools & Resources

In APOP's 2018 clinical survey, 55.8% of dogs and 59.5% of cats were classified as clinically overweight (BCS - body condition score 6-7) or have obesity (BCS 8-9) by their veterinary healthcare professional.

An estimated 50 million dogs and 56 million cats are overweight or have obesity, based on 2018-19 pet population projections provided by the American Pet Products Association (APPA).

Latest Published Survey Results

2021 Weight Management, Nutrition, and Pet Food Survey Results

  • 2021 Survey Shows Most Consider Pet Obesity is a Disease

  • Pet Food Opinions Remain Divided Between Pet Parents and Veterinary Professionals

  • No By-Products, High-Protein, Made in USA, Grain-Free Top Choices in 2021

  • Sustainability Splits Pet Parents

Click here for pdf of 2021 Pet Owner Survey Summary

Latest Instagram posts:

October 12, 2022 is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day! 🐶🐱 Veterinary clinics and organizations, register today to receive your clinic study ID. Link in bio
THANK YOU!! 👉 PODCAST LINK IN BIO 👈 National Pet Obesity Awareness Day is Oct. 12, 2022 - We Need Your Help! Veterinary colleagues, we need your help with the 2022 US Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey! Sign up today at PetObesityPrevention.org. Th
 
 

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2021 APOP U.S. Weight Management, Nutrition, and Pet Food Survey Results
2021 APOP U.S. Weight Management, Nutrition, and Pet Food Survey Results
Association for Pet Obesity Prevention Announces Susan Hays as Executive Director
Association for Pet Obesity Prevention Announces Susan Hays as Executive Director

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) is pleased to announce Susan Hays, CBC as its executive director. Sue previously served as Executive Director of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and was named to 2021 Pet Age Power 50 List, recognizing the top US pet industry leaders.

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Veterinarians typically recommend walking as a key element of most canine weight loss regimens. Sounds simple enough, but is it really? I have found that few dogs will naturally walk at a pace that generates the elevated heart rates needed for sustained aerobic activity. Of course, make sure your portly friend can begin a weight loss exercise program by having her examined by your veterinarian before beginning any physical activity program.  Follow these helpful tips to pace your pooch for optimal weight loss.

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More pets are suffering from obesity. The latest data from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) reveals over half the nation’s dogs and cats are overweight or obese. With increasing weights come increased weight-related disorders, especially osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes. It’s up to pet owners and veterinarians to reverse this trend and save our dogs and cats from suffering needlessly. While this task may be daunting and challenging to some, we can succeed. Here are a few tips on how you can help your pet in the quest to go from fat to fit in four steps.