Survey Shows Dog And Cat Obesity Epidemic Expanding
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The epidemic of obesity in dogs and cats is growing with 54% of adult cats and dogs currently classified as overweight or obese.
This is the fifth annual survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) examining rates of obesity in companion animals in the United States. Results showed an increase in companion animal obesity in 2011 compared to 2010. In all 54% of adult cats and dogs living in U.S. households are either overweight or obese.
Survey Findings:
- 53% of adult cats and 55% of adult dogs are either overweight or obese. This is an estimated 47.3 million cats and 41.1 million dogs.
- 22% of dog owners and 15% of cat owners with overweight animals classified their pets as being a normal weight.
- Obesity rates increased from 2010 to 2011. For cats, the numbers increased from 21.6% to 24.9%. For dogs the change was less drastic, increasing from 20.6% to 21.4%.
- Though 72% of dog owners surveyed indicated that their vet had discussed issues associated with excess weight, only 49% of cat owners had similar conversations with their vets.
Citations:
Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) , Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) , 2011 United States (National)
