Purina Pro Package® Veterinary diets® investigation for National Pet Obesity Awareness Day indicates a physical and emotional toll
ST. LOUIS, October 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — A new investigation1 from Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets, released today – National Pet Obesity Awareness Day – revealed that excess physical weight in dogs takes an emotional toll on their owners and that many owners consider their dogs as thinner than they really are. The results showed that around 1 in 5 dog-owning households consider one or more of their dogs to be overweight. However, according to the Association for the Prevention of Pet Obesity (APOP)2the number of overweight dogs United States has reached an all-time high, with 59% of dogs assessed in the United States as either overweight (37%) or obese (22%).
The Pro Plan Veterinary Diets survey of more than 600 U.S. dog owners who identified their dog as overweight also highlighted the physical and emotional factors contributing to excess weight and how these prevent owners of dogs to help their pets.
“Dogs do not always gain weight due to lack of care from their owners,” underlined the president of APOP. Ernie Ward, DVM. “On the contrary, an overweight dog can be a sign that the owner cares Also a lot about the happiness of their dog. But while it’s often said that “food is love,” overfeeding a pet could lead to an overall reduced quality of life. »
The emotional impact of excess weight
The new investigation found that excessive weight gain in pets may be linked to the emotions owners feel regarding diet and treatment:
- 75% of owners surveyed agreed that they feel guilty when their dogs seem hungry.
- 67% agree that food is their dog’s main source of happiness.
- 67% agree that they create a bond with their dog by giving them treats and don’t want to lose that bond.
- 54% said they give their dog more food, table scraps or treats when their pet begs for them.
Despite their fears of losing the bond with their dog, 88% of surveyed owners whose dogs are overweight agree on the physical condition of their animal. do concerns them and 92% agree that weight loss would be beneficial. These beliefs may be fueled by weight-related behavioral changes in their pet that can impact the owner:
- 92% of owners surveyed agree that they are sad when their dog can’t participate in activities they previously enjoyed when their weight was ideal.
- 45% say their dog has less energy to play, 44% say their dog tires easily after minimal activity, and 27% say their dog is less engaged or playful with their family.
“The results demonstrate that many owners of overweight dogs feel conflicted about what quality of life means for their pets,” said Jason Gagné, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), director of veterinary communications for Pro Plan. Veterinary Diets. “While owners recognize that excess weight prevents their dogs from participating in activities they once enjoyed, they also worry that their dogs will be unhappy if dietary changes are made.”
What can owners do?
Many owners interviewed to have have tried to help by using homemade slimming strategies, but have had limited success. According to the survey, the most common weight loss approaches tried by owners include reducing portions of existing food, reducing treats and increasing exercise. Yet 68% of owners who tried these strategies reported that their dogs lost little or no weight. at all.
“Understanding the importance of this issue is the first step towards a healthy future for our pets,” said Gagné. “The second is to work closely with your veterinarian to create a weight loss plan that will work for you AND your pet – including good nutrition, which can make a big difference. Pro Plan and Pro Plan Veterinary Diets offer a range of formulas, like OM Metabolic Response + Joint Mobility, specifically designed to help pets lose body fat while maintaining lean muscle mass.
It’s also important to think about weight before it becomes a problem. In a 14-year study published in 2002, Purina scientists were the first to show the importance of keeping dogs in ideal physical condition throughout their lives.3. Researchers monitored the health of 48 Labrador Retrievers throughout their lives, during which half of the dogs were fed 25% less (restricted feeding) than their fully fed siblings (controls). The results showed that feeding dogs to achieve ideal body condition throughout their lives can significantly extend a dog’s healthy years – by an average of 1.8 years for dogs across the globe. ‘study.
If you have concerns about your pet’s weight, talk to your veterinarian. To learn more about weight management support and Pro Plan veterinary diets, visit proplanvetdirect.com.
About Nestlé Purina PetCare
Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by providing science-based nutritional innovations. Purina manufactures some of the world’s most trusted and popular pet care products, including Pro Plan, Pro Plan Veterinary Diets, Purina ONE, Dog Chow, Fancy Feast and Tidy Cats. Our more than 10,000 U.S. associates are proud of our trusted brands of pet food, treats and litter that feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats each year. More than 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians and pet care experts guarantee our commitment to unmatched quality and nutrition. Purina promotes responsible pet care through our scientific research, products and support of pet-related organizations. Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million to organizations that bring and keep people and pets together, and those that help our communities and environment thrive. Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in nutrition, health and wellness. For more information, visitpurina.comOrsubscribe hereto receive the latest news from Purina.
About the Association for the Prevention of Pet Obesity (APOP)
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2005 whose primary mission is to prevent and treat pet obesity. APOP conducts research to substantiate the prevalence levels of pet obesity in the United States and provides resources and tools for veterinarians and pet parents to recognize, prevent, and treat pet obesity. company. For more information, visit www.petobesityprevention.org.
1 Data was collected by Relevation Research via an online survey of June 6-12, 2023. A total of 618 nationally representative dog owners qualified and completed the survey. Qualified participants were men and women aged 18 years and older, owned one or more dogs (13 months or older), were the household members most responsible for taking the dog(s) home a veterinarian and had taken the dog(s) to a veterinarian within the last 12 months and identified their dog(s) as overweight.
2 Association for the Prevention of Pet Obesity (APOP) Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey 2022
3Kealy, RD, Lawler, DF, Ballam, JM, Mantz, SL, Biery, DN, Greeley. EH and Stowe, H.D. (2002). Effects of dietary restrictions on lifespan and age-related changes in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 220, 1315-1320.
SOURCE Purina