Banfield: Pets’ COVID-19 weight gain added to existing ‘obesity epidemic’
by Katie Pfaff
Veterinary hospital group, Banfield Pet Hospital, shared data on weight gain among pets during COVID-19. Called the “COVID 15,” data from its electronic veterinary health records found that there has been a longstanding trend of weight gain in US pets. A recent data analysis found a 108% increase in dogs and 114% in cats being diagnosed as overweight or obese in the last decade.
The numbers are a sharp increase in pets that were already getting pudgy before the quarantine. In 2011, 16% of dogs were overweight or obese, 34% were in 2020. For cats, 18% were overweight or obese in 2011 and 38% in 2020. Just between March and December of last year, the overweight/obesity rate for dogs increased 2.3%.
Yet, overweight and obesity are associated with health risks and lower quality of life for pets. "At Banfield, our goal is to provide high-quality preventive care to the more than 3 million pets we see each year, and this includes equipping owners with tools and resources to help their pets live happy healthy lives," said Molly McAllister, chief medical officer of Banfield. "We want pet owners to know that you are not alone in managing your pet's weight. You can partner with your veterinarian to determine your pet's ideal weight and the appropriate steps to take together to get there, without judgment. It's clear from the data that many pets and their owners are struggling with this issue and Banfield is here to help."
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