Number of overweight dogs and cats increased in the UK in past decade

New research from UK Pet Food concluded that 43% of cats in the country are now classified as overweight, up from 40% in 2014. Half the dog population falls into the same category compared to 45% a decade ago.

Small mammals have also seen an increase, with 31% now considered overweight and 9% of pet birds now affected by obesity.

The association surveyed more than 8,900 British households in March 2024 to assess pet nutrition, feeding habits and pet owners’ perceptions of their pets’ weight.

Understanding obesity

A significant knowledge gap exists between pet owners’ perceptions of their pets’ weight and veterinarians’ diagnoses.

While 77% of pet owners in the UK believe their pets are a healthy weight, veterinarians report that between 30% and 50% of small mammals, cats and dogs are overweight.

On the other hand, only 4% of pet owners acknowledge that their pets need to lose weight.

“This discrepancy can lead to unintentional neglect of the issue, resulting in a range of health problems,” explains Sarah Hormozi, Head of Science and Education at UK Pet Food.

Feeding habits

When asked about feeding responsibly, 63% of respondents claim they follow feeding guidelines, only 18% weigh out food portions, and 19% disregard the guidelines entirely.

Many owners (37%) admit to treating their pets with human food, with 22% stating they do so to feel closer to them.

According to the report, 26% of veterinarians attribute table scraps and 29% to the overfeeding of commercial treats as key contributors to obesity.