A nationwide study conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention finds that the number of overweight dogs and cats is continuing to rise. Owners of larger dogs and cats are less aware of the problem than others.

Companion animal obesity is a growing problem in the United States. Over 45% (34 million) of dogs and 58% (54 million) of cats are considered to be overweight or obese, according to the National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Study, conducted in October of 2009. This study found that from 2007 to 2009, the number of overweight dogs increased by 2% and the number of overweight cats increased by 5%.

Though the numbers of overweight companion animals is on the incline, it is more problematic that companion animal owners are increasingly classifying their overweight companion animals as “normal.” In fact, when asked, one third of dog owners and 46% of cat owners with overweight companion animals incorrectly stated that their companion animal was a normal weight. Further, one quarter of dog owners with obese dogs thought their dog was normal, while 40% of obese cat owners thought their cat was normal.

Owners of Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are more likely to consider their companion animal to be a normal weight when it is really overweight. In general, owners of small breed dogs are more likely to correctly classify their dog as overweight than owners of large breed dogs.