Virbac, a global leader in animal health, is proud to announce its strategic alliance with the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) to confront the escalating health threat of pet obesity in the United States. With an alarming 56% of dogs and 60% of cats classified as overweight or obese, the two organizations recognize the urgent need to address the hormonal and metabolic changes that occur following the spay or neuter procedure pre-disposing pets to obesity and obesity-related illness and health complications, according to veterinary experts.

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.

“The Year of Ozempic” proclaimed the December 2023 edition of The New Yorker.

That same month, the journal Science declared glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) weight loss drugs its “Breakthrough of the Year,” beating out commendable contenders such as new malaria and Alzheimer’s treatments, innovative climate change research on natural carbon pumps and artificial intelligence (AI) in improving weather forecasting. Apparently, Science viewed treating obesity as a bigger story than dementia and global warming.

With all the success of human obesity medications, could pet weight loss drugs be far behind?

Veterinary and human healthcare professionals often use the term “obese” to describe a patient with excess body fat. Calling a patient “obese” has significant negative connotations and can be stigmatizing and emotionally triggering.

In veterinary medicine, labeling a pet as “obese” can imply that the owner has failed to provide proper care and nutrition, potentially causing feelings of unease and criticism. It shifts the focus from underlying physiological causes such as genetics, microbiome, hormonal imbalances, and other biological factors to lifestyle choices like exercise and diet.

On the other hand, the proposed terminology, such as “the dog has obesity, ” “a cat having obesity,” or “a pet with obesity,” focuses on the disease state rather than the physical appearance, thereby avoiding blame on the pet owner's actions or an animal’s behavior or inherent characteristic.

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.”

The Farmer’s Dog, the pet-food company delivering vet-developed, science-backed, human-grade fresh dog food, today announced its charter sponsorship of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). The Farmer’s Dog will support APOP’s important work improving pet longevity and quality of life by treating and preventing obesity.

Body weight is a poor individual indicator of overall health and disease risk.

Obesity is a disease, not a social construct.

For decades, those two statements have caused confusion and controversy within the human and veterinary medical professions. Research into health outcomes has shown that excessive emphasis on body weight, particularly when applied to calculations of weight and height (Body Mass Index or BMI), can lead to potential misinterpretation of results and incomplete conclusions. Defining obesity in terms of volition and choice undermines the multitude of physiological causes for the disease.

Founder and President of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, Dr. Ernie Ward, says the issue is far more complex than people merely offering too much table food. So, what exactly has been going on? And why with every passing year are there more and more obese dogs/cats? And it’s not only about weight, but also about body condition score. Clearly, our pets would live longer and healthier and even happier lives if they were not so many overweight/obese dogs/cats.

If you scroll social media these days, you’ll likely run across a funny cat video. A seemingly endless pageant of feline videos has crowned internet celebrities, inspired international ad campaigns, and even earned their own award ceremonies. As you peruse your social media feeds, you’ll also see many dogs hiking trails, leaping for frisbees, and traveling with their humans. These doggie influencers amass huge online followings, and their posts garner thousands of comments. As you look closer, you’ll also see that how we portray and discuss dogs and cats varies widely.

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) and the World Pet Obesity Association (WPOA) announced World Pet Obesity Awareness Day on October 11, 2023. Up to 63% of pet cats and 59% of pet dogs are estimated to be overweight or have obesity in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. This week, we have a clinical nutrition expert to discuss a recent pet owner survey and how you can help your pet patients seeking to achieve a healthy body condition.

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) and the World Pet Obesity Association (WPOA) announced October 11, 2023, is World Pet Obesity Awareness Day. During October, APOP and WPOA encourage all veterinary professionals and pet owners to measure their pets’ health by performing a body condition score (BCS), weighing their pets, and calculating daily calories to feed. The groups also ask veterinary professionals and pet owners to visit petobesityprevention.org to participate in their annual survey.

Dog parents simply want their dog to be happy. But what can we do to ensure we’re providing the best quality of life for our canine companions? Helping your pooch achieve a long, healthy, and happy life only requires your commitment, consistency, and creativity in providing a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and a nurturing environment. Here are a few tips to guide you on being active with your dog for a lifetime of good health.

2022 Pet Obesity Survey Results

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, approximately 60% of favorite feline family members are overweight or have obesity. Here are a few tips to tell if your cat is more than fluffy.

In pursuit of a healthier, happier canine companion, a simple pet weight-loss strategy can make all the difference.

Pets suffering from obesity are prone to a torrent of weight-related disorders. If your pet needs to shed a few pounds, consider these serious consequences of obesity as you’re looking for motivation.

General pet obesity information and U.S. pet obesity survey results graphics. Set also includes previous pet obesity survey infographics, canine longevity study, AAHA Weight Management Guidelines, and consequences of pet obesity.  

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.

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.