Agria supports the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and we're proud to partner with UK Pet Food, who have helped create this guidance.
05 June 2023
The big problem with pet obesity
“At the beginning of this year, Agria announced our focus for 2023 would be on animal welfare, with reference to the Animal Welfare Act of 2006. We now address the uncomfortable topic of obesity, a major animal welfare issue and the big problem with the UK’s pets. Based on research commissioned by Agria, we are looking at how we come to be in this situation, what the implications are, and what we, as loving pet owners, can do about it.”
Vicki Wentworth, Managing Director, Agria Pet Insurance
In a study by Kantar Data for Agria Pet Insurance in March this year, 83% of pet owners thought their pet was the correct weight. However, when surveyed at the London Vet Show (one of the biggest events in the veterinary calendar) in 2022, 77% of vets said pet obesity is increasing, and that 50% of dogs, 43% of cats and 31% of small animals they treat are currently obese! These statistics show the disparity between owner opinion and what vets are actually seeing in practice.
Something doesn’t add up…
Do some owners subconsciously wish for the truth to be better than it is, and answer accordingly? Or perhaps, as a global IPSOS study in 2022 found that 45% of us are trying to lose weight, we aren’t very good judges of healthy weight. There is also a lack of awareness of how significant a pet’s weight is to its health.
One vet said “People think slim pets are underweight,” and some owners report feeding more than manufacturer recommendations because they think the portions look too small. 38% of pet owners admit to giving their pets treats just because they look cute, and 22% to keep them quiet or occupied. 41% agreed that table scraps were a possible cause of obesity, especially likely because human scraps can be higher in fat, salt, sugar and calories than pet foods, eg, 1 chunk of cheese for a cat equals 9 chunks of cheese for a human.
As in us, obesity in animals brings serious welfare issues:
- Reduced quality and length of life
- Increased joint problems and arthritis
- Increased respiratory problems and heart disease
- Increased diabetes and some cancers
And obesity risk increases with neutering (due to a larger appetite and less activity), and on reaching middle-age.
How can I check if my pet is overweight?
- Place your hands on your pet’s shoulder blades and run them lightly along their back. You should be able to feel the outline of their ribs.
- Look from above – the curve of their waist behind their ribs should be visible.
- From the side, their waist should follow a clear line upwards behind their ribs and should not be sagging underneath.
- Weight – always monitor your pet’s weight by weighing regularly.
So how to fix this?
Concerns about a pet’s weight may require veterinary advice to rule out any underlying health conditions. The best method of weight checking is at the vets, but only 47% of owners rely on this, and about 30% of pet owners admit to either never checking at all, or just guessing.
After that, a healthy diet is the first place to start.
Our partner, UK Pet Food, is a dedicated industry body for pet food, promoting best practice and providing free information on pet food and feeding. Their best advice on feeding a healthy diet is to choose a complete commercial pet food which will have been professionally created, is nutritionally balanced, relieving pet owners of the guess-work and worry.
There is huge benefit to pets and their owners in taking care of their weight: dogs fed to a lean weight from puppyhood through adulthood live approximately 2 years longer and, without all the other unpleasant health complications, they will live happier too.
As an Agria Pet Insurance customer, you can speak to a vet completely free whenever you have a question or concern about your pet’s health. Simply download the Agria Vet Guide app for free 24/7 video calls; giving you expert advice to help keep your pet happy and healthy.
Download free from your app store here
Find out more here