"We are proud to collaborate with Hill’s as we work together to advance research on understanding pet obesity bias and promoting evidence-based treatments for obesity," said Dr. Ernie Ward, Founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. "Hill’s has been a leader in advancing pet health through innovative nutrition and research, and their commitment to addressing the complex communication challenges of pet obesity is truly commendable."

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.