21 April 2025, New Delhi, India: Approximately 40% of adult cats and dogs globally are considered overweight or living with obesity¹. To understand this, ROYAL CANIN®, a leader in ‘Health through Nutrition’ for cats and dogs conducted a survey, which revealed a widespread lack of awareness and persistent misinformation being the primary reasons contributing to a growing pet obesity crisis.
The issue of obesity is only aggravated by the prevalence of misinformation with nearly a fifth of people (17%) saying it’s one of the biggest barriers that prevents them from keeping their four-legged friend at a healthy weight.1 What’s more, nearly a third (29%) of veterinary professionals believe that misinformation or conflicting information is causing challenges with having conversations with pet owners about managing a healthy pet weight.1 This is particularly true during early development, as the nutrition they receive during this life stage may impact their health for the rest of their lives.3
The multi-market study of more than 14,000 pet owners and 1,750 veterinary professionals across eight countries (including India, UK, France, China, Mexico, Spain, Portugal and Brazil) found that nearly one in five (19%) pet owners are turning to social media platforms to get information and advice about nutrition, healthy weight, or obesity in pets.1 This number rises significantly to 55% amongst Gen Z pet owners. Another significant finding from the survey shows that over one in four pet parents (26%) are unaware of their pet’s ideal weight.
The survey also revealed, 44% of veterinary professionals believe that pet obesity has increased in the last few years, and nearly half (45%) agree that pet owners underestimate the risks associated with overweight and obesity in pets.1 When looking into factors that contribute to pet obesity, 41% of pet owners say they give their pets special treats when they seem sad, bored, or lonely.1 Three in four feed their pet human food, but a third (31%) of those believe that doing so doesn’t cause harm.1
ROYAL CANIN®’s study showed that the biggest perceived contributing factors to obesity, according to pet owners are1:
- Overfeeding (39%)
- Lack of exercise (36%)
- Poor quality pet food (17%)
- Feeding pets human food (14%)
- Lack of recognition by pet owners that their pets are overweight (11%)
To address this gap, this year, as part of the 25th edition of its annual Vet Symposium, ROYAL CANIN® is stepping up support for veterinary professionals in tackling the issue of pets with obesity. With science-backed storytelling, creator-led education, and interactive content, ROYAL CANIN® launched #ScalingTheConversation, a global campaign which aims to strengthen the dialogue between veterinary professionals and pet owners around pet nutrition and weight management. The campaign will reach Gen Z pet owners via veterinary professionals, vet behaviourists, and nutritionists across, Instagram,YouTube and other social media platforms. This campaign was introduced at Vet Symposium 2025 this week, and is based on the recent survey conducted by ROYAL CANIN®.
The 2025 Vet Symposium in Montpellier welcomed over 550 participants, including veterinarians and pet professionals from 70 countries.
Through this new initiative, ROYAL CANIN® continues its commitment to creating precise nutritional solutions while supporting veterinarians in guiding pet owners to make better-informed decisions.
“At Royal Canin, we believe that better health starts with better conversations,” shared Dr Tabitha Hookey, a veterinary nutritionist and member of the ROYAL CANIN® R&D team focused on obesity and diabetes. “Through providing accessible and credible information, we’re aiming to support pet owners with clear, science-based advice to help more pets live their healthiest lives. Through partnering with an expert panel and using social media to maximise our outreach, with this campaign, we hope to be able to empower even more pet owners with a better understanding of healthy pet nutrition and weight management and, ultimately, to promote dialogue with the veterinary professionals that care for their pets.”
Dr. Alex German, Professor of Small Animal Medicine at the University of Liverpool, UK, comments: “Pet obesity can have a serious impact on both quality of life and lifespan. Helping pets maintain a healthy weight is one of the most important things we can do to ensure they live longer, happier lives. Encouraging open, supportive conversations between veterinary professionals and pet owners is key to making good nutrition and weight management a natural part of everyday pet care.”
