Pet Obesity

Pet Obesity Statistics & Facts for 2023

Prevalence of Pet Obesity: Up to 59% of all pets suffer from obesity.
Decade Increase: Overweight cats increased by 169%, and dogs by 158% over the past decade.
Early Onset: 37% of dogs are overweight by 6 months of age.
Global Issue: In China, 44% of dogs are obese.
Neutering and Obesity Risk: Neutering pets doubles the likelihood of obesity.
Age Factors: Pet and owner age correlate with higher obesity risk.
Owner’s Weight Influence: Overweight owners more likely to have overweight pets.
Reduced Lifespan: Obese pets’ lifespan shortened by 2.5 years on average.
Disease Risks: Obesity increases the risk of diseases like cancer, arthritis, diabetes.
Emotional Impact: Obesity adversely affects pets’ emotional well-being and vitality.

59% of dogs and 61% of cats in the U.S. are overweight or obese.
Increase from 56% (dogs) and 60% (cats) in 2018 and 2017.
32% of pet owners misidentify overweight or obese pets (BCS 6-9) as “normal,” “ideal,” or “thin.”
36% of dog owners and 28% of cat owners incorrectly consider their overweight or obese pets as having “normal” body condition.
Challenges in body condition scoring (BCS) due to diverse dog sizes and coat types, and difficulties in assessing feline BCS, especially in long-haired cats or those with prominent belly flaps.

Pet Owner Perception of Pet Body Condition: 32% of pet owners misclassified their overweight or obese pets as having a “normal,” “ideal,” or “thin” body condition.
Veterinary Discussions on Healthy Weight: 49% of pet owners reported their vets discussed their pet’s ideal or healthy weight yearly.
Pet Weight Loss Efforts: 73% of dog owners and 58% of cat owners attempted pet weight loss.
Pet Weight Loss Success Rates: 34% of dog owners and 19% of cat owners reported success in helping their pets lose weight.
Causes of Pet Obesity: 73% of pet owners agreed that pet obesity is a result of overfeeding, and 68% agreed it is due to insufficient exercise.