2021 Survey & Data

2021 APOP Pet Obesity and Nutrition Opinion Survey

The 2021 APOP Pet Obesity and Nutrition Opinion Survey is a cross-sectional survey assessing self-reported perceptions, behaviors, and communication patterns related to companion animal body condition, nutrition, feeding practices, and pet food purchasing among U.S. pet owners and veterinary professionals. Findings reflect self-reported perceptions and behaviors rather than veterinarian-assessed body condition score (BCS) and are distinct from APOP clinical prevalence studies.

• Body condition perception gap: 39% of dog owners and 45% of cat owners considered at least one of their pets overweight or having obesity.
• Obesity as a disease: 72% of pet owners and 87% of veterinary professionals agreed that pet obesity is a disease.
• Veterinary communication: 46% of pet owners reported that their veterinarian discusses their pet’s ideal or healthy weight every year, while 20% reported occasional discussion, 22% said the topic is addressed only if they ask, and 12% reported no discussion.
• Diet recommendations: 43% of pet owners reported that their veterinarian did not offer maintenance or routine diet recommendations. Thirty-four percent reported receiving recommendations every year without asking, and 23% said they had to ask.
• Sources of nutrition advice: Veterinary clinics ranked first (41.4%), followed by online sources (36.5%), pet stores (7.6%), breeders (6%), friends (5%), and groomers or trainers (4%). Combined, 78% of pet owners reported best dietary recommendations came from veterinary clinics and online sources.
• Perceived healthfulness of diets and ingredients:
  • Fresh pet food: Dog owners: 47% considered healthier, 18% did not, 35% unsure. Veterinary professionals: 18% considered healthier, 65% did not, 18% unsure. Cat owners: 53% considered healthier, 13% did not, 35% unsure.
  • Grain-free diets: Dog owners: 27% considered healthier, 38% did not, 35% unsure. Veterinary professionals: 7% considered healthier, 88% did not, 5% unsure. Cat owners: 48% considered healthier, 18% did not, 34% unsure. Veterinary professionals (cats): 22% considered healthier, 73% did not, 5% unsure.
  • Raw meat diets: Dog owners: 27% considered healthier, 38% did not, 35% unsure. Veterinary professionals: 8% considered healthier, 80% did not, 12% unsure. Cat owners: 28% considered healthier, 28% did not, 44% unsure. Veterinary professionals (cats): 6% considered healthier, 85% did not, 9% unsure.
• Feeding practices: Dry kibble remained the most common feeding format, with 77% of dog owners and 70% of cat owners feeding dry food exclusively or most of the time. Canned diets were fed exclusively by 11% of dog owners and 9% of cat owners, with additional respondents feeding canned diets most of the time. Thirteen percent of dog owners reported feeding fresh commercial food exclusively or most of the time.
• Pandemic-related behavior changes: 27% of pet owners reported more walks, 10% fewer walks, 23% gave more treats, 17% changed pet food brands, 15% reported behavioral changes such as clinginess or separation anxiety, and 7% prepared more home-cooked meals.
• Sustainability and welfare considerations: 36% reported sustainability influenced purchasing, 27% cited climate-related concerns, and 37% cited animal welfare. At the same time, 48% reported they did not consider any of these factors when purchasing pet food.
• Pet food purchasing behavior: 42% of pet owners purchased food primarily online, followed by big chain retailers (38%), independent pet stores (21%), grocery stores (18%), and veterinary clinics (11%). Veterinary professionals most commonly purchased through veterinary clinics (43%), followed by online sources (30%).
• Household pet distribution: Among respondents, cat households included 43% with one cat, 33% with two cats, 12% with three cats, and 12% with four or more cats. Dog households included 48% with one dog, 33% with two dogs, 11% with three dogs, and 8% with four or more dogs.

These findings highlight persistent gaps between owner perception and veterinary understanding of excess body condition, along with continued uncertainty around fresh diets, grain-free diets, raw feeding, and evolving pet food trends. Clear, consistent guidance from veterinary professionals remains essential to support effective nutrition and weight management.