New Survey Reveals the Weighty Impact of Excess Weight for Dogs - and their Owners
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey1 from Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets, released today – National Pet Obesity Awareness Day – found that excess physical weight in dogs carries an emotional weight for their owners, and that many owners view their dogs as thinner than they really are. Results showed that approximately 1 in 5 dog-owning households consider one or more of their dogs to be overweight. However, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP)2, the number of overweight dogs in the United States has reached a record high, with 59% of evaluated dogs in the U.S. either overweight (37%) or having obesity (22%).
- "Dogs do not always gain excess weight due to a lack of care from their owners", noted APOP President Ernie Ward, DVM.
- "If anything, an overweight dog may be a sign that the owner cares too much about their dog's happiness.
- The new survey revealed that excess weight gain in pets can be related to the emotions owners experience around feeding and treating:
75% of surveyed owners agreed they feel guilty when their dogs appear hungry. - "While owners recognize that excess weight is keeping their dogs from participating in activities they once enjoyed, they also worry their dogs will be unhappy if feeding changes are made."