The Growing Weight of Love: Why Our Pets Are Facing an Obesity Epidemic

Pet obesity is one of the fastest-growing health concerns among dogs and cats today. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), over 59% of dogs and 61% of cats in the U.S. were classified as overweight or obese in 2022. This isn’t just an aesthetic issue, but a serious health risk linked to diabetes, arthritis, urinary tract disorders, and a shortened lifespan. 

We have written several articles, including this one, that dive into awareness of the issue and steps to help correct it, but how did we get here? What factors are contributing to this rising trend? The answer is multifaceted, involving everything from diet formulation to human psychology. 

Energy-Dense Commercial Diets 

Modern pet foods, especially wet foods, kibble, air-dried, and freeze-dried diets, are often highly energy-dense relative to their moisture content. Many of today’s formulas are rich in fat and calories to make them more palatable or to reduce the dependence on the high-cost protein sources. While this is great for picky eaters or active working dogs, it may not be ideal for the average indoor pet. 

Feeding guidelines on pet food packaging are typically based on generalized estimates of how much the average pet should consume and don't always reflect an individual pet’s specific needs. Compounding this, feeding guidelines may overestimate energy requirements to ensure pets aren’t underfed, which ironically increases the risk of overfeeding. Because many premium pet diets now have higher caloric density than those formulated even a decade ago, this means pets are getting more calories per cup, whether they need them or not. 

Humanization and Emotional Feeding 

We love our pets like family, and that’s a wonderful thing. But sometimes, that love leads us to feed them like humans, too. Offering frequent treats, sharing table scraps, or giving an extra scoop of food as a “reward” can unintentionally sabotage their health. In a culture where food is love, it’s easy to show affection with snacks, but many owners don’t realize just how few calories their pets actually need. A 20-pound dog may only require about 500 to 600 calories per day, so even a few extras can tip the scale. 

Pet owners also tend to project their own dietary beliefs or habits onto their animals. For example, high-protein or grain-free pet foods akin to certain human diets like paleo or keto may not always be appropriate for all pets. If not carefully formulated and portioned, these diets can provide excessive calories or omit beneficial ingredients such as whole grains, which supply fiber and other essential nutrients. While some pets may thrive on these diets under veterinary guidance, less active or health-compromised animals may face risks of obesity, nutrient deficiencies, or digestive issues when fed diets designed more around human trends than species-specific nutritional science. 

Additionally, free-feeding (leaving food out all day) or using unmeasured scoops can easily lead to overfeeding. A “cup” of food is often interpreted loosely, and pet food measuring cups are notoriously inconsistent. Studies have shown that even experienced pet owners often overestimate the amount they’re feeding by as much as 20%. Without precise measurement, even high-quality diets can become a problem. Over time, those extra calories add up. 

Sedentary Lifestyles and Metabolic Changes 

As our lives have become more sedentary, so have our pets’. Many dogs and cats live almost entirely indoors, with limited access to regular physical activity. Urban environments may not allow for off-leash play, and busy lifestyles often mean fewer and shorter walks. Indoor cats, in particular, face challenges; many lack enrichment or stimulation that encourages natural activity like stalking, climbing, or hunting. Without exercise, even a slightly excessive caloric intake can lead to weight gain over time. 

Spaying and neutering are critical for population control and health, but they also reduce metabolic rate and change hormone levels that regulate appetite. Unless owners adjust feeding accordingly, pets can begin gaining weight soon after surgery. This doesn’t mean pets shouldn’t be sterilized, but it does mean that proactive portion control and diet adjustments are key after the procedure. 

Owner Awareness and Misperceptions 

As we have explored in previous articles, many pet parents don’t realize their dog or cat is overweight. A fluffy coat can hide extra pounds, and cultural norms have shifted to the point where chubby pets are seen as “normal.” In fact, studies show that over 90% of pet parents with overweight pets mistakenly believe their pet is a healthy weight. This makes it even harder to intervene early. Routine body condition scoring by veterinarians and education on what a healthy weight actually looks and feels like are critical in reversing this trend. 

Final Thoughts: What You Can Do 

The good news is that obesity is both preventable and manageable with small, consistent changes. Portion control is one of the most powerful tools. Using a gram scale instead of a scoop or cup to measure Fido’s food ensures they get exactly the amount they need. It’s also important to limit treats to no more than 10% of their daily caloric intake and choose low-calorie options when possible. 

Daily exercise is another important piece of the puzzle. This doesn’t just mean walks for dogs; both dogs and cats benefit from playtime, enrichment toys, food puzzles, and activities that stimulate both body and mind. Monitoring your pet’s body condition score, a visual and tactile tool that assesses fat coverage and muscle tone, can help you track progress more accurately than weight alone. When in doubt, ask your veterinarian for guidance; they can help you determine appropriate calorie needs, feeding plans, and activity recommendations tailored to your pet. 

While pet parents have an essential role in managing their pets’ weight, systemic change is needed. Pet food companies can help by offering clearer, more accurate feeding guidelines based on metabolic needs, not just broad weight ranges. We desperately need industry-wide guidance on how to calculate feeding guidelines to be more consistent across brands, formats, and recipes. Veterinary professionals can advocate for regular body condition scoring and nutrition discussions as part of every wellness visit. And as an industry, we can prioritize research-backed formulation, transparent labeling, and owner education. 

The Bottom Line 

Obesity steals healthy years from our pets, but it doesn’t have to. With greater awareness of the root causes and a commitment to proactive care from both owners and the pet food industry, we can turn the tide. Helping your pet maintain a healthy weight isn’t just about numbers on a scale; it’s about giving them the best chance at a long, vibrant, and active life. 

Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates on all things happening here at BSM Partners.

About the Author

Dr. Katy Miller works as the Director of Veterinary Services at BSM Partners. She earned her veterinary degree at Ross University and completed her clinical year at Louisiana State University. She previously served for 11 years as the Director of Dog and Cat Health and Nutrition for Mud Bay where she earned multiple certifications and specialized in pet food nutrition, prior to which she practiced general and emergency medicine for seven years. She is also a competitive three-day eventer, licensed falconer, and claims only two (Golden and Mini Doxie) of their nine dogs.