Veterinary Medicine Collaboration Highlights Importance of Pet Nutrition in Obesity Prevention

Veterinary Alliance Tackles Pet Obesity

Veterinary medicine plays a vital role in preventing pet obesity, a condition that has reached alarming levels. Virbac, a global animal health company, has established a partnership with the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) to address this critical health issue. Together, they aim to develop educational resources to assist veterinary practices and pet owners in managing pet nutrition effectively.

The Need for Nutritional Education

This collaboration seeks to highlight the fundamental role of tailored nutrition, particularly after spaying or neutering pets. As outlined by Fabrice Payot, DVM, the focus on customized diets that are higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates is essential for maintaining metabolic health. The recent statistics from APOP emphasize this need, revealing that 59% of dogs and 61% of cats in the U.S. are classified as overweight or obese.

• 59% of dogs classified as overweight or obese
• 61% of cats classified as overweight or obese
• Majority of pet owners unaware of pets' obesity

Addressing Pet Owner Awareness

Interestingly, only 28% of cat owners and 17% of dog owners recognize their pets as overweight, indicating a significant gap in awareness. This partnership aims to illuminate this discrepancy and educate pet owners about the importance of discussing their pets’ ideal weight with veterinarians during yearly check-ups.

By leveraging the innovative resources developed through this collaboration, both Virbac and APOP aspire to empower pet owners with the knowledge necessary to combat pet obesity effectively.