If your dog or cat is carrying a little extra weight, you’re far from alone. The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that more than half of dogs and cats in the United States are considered overweight or obese (AVMA, 2026). It’s become so common that many owners no longer recognize a healthy weight when they see one, a phenomenon researchers sometimes call “the new normal.”
That familiarity is part of the problem. When most of the dogs at the park are a bit round, or most cats at the vet’s office are a bit heavy, an overweight pet stops looking unusual. But the health consequences don’t disappear just because the condition is common.
In 2018, the Global Pet Obesity Initiative issued a position statement calling for the veterinary profession to formally recognize canine and feline obesity as a disease, not just a cosmetic issue, and the AVMA Board of Directors endorsed that statement (AVMA). That shift in framing matters. Obesity in pets is linked to a longer list of health problems than many owners expect, including diabetes, joint disease, heart strain, and reduced lifespan.
The good news is that obesity is also one of the more manageable conditions veterinarians see, when it’s addressed with the right combination of diet, exercise, and monitoring. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention maintains body condition scoring tools and resources specifically to help pet owners and veterinary teams track progress over time (Association for Pet Obesity Prevention).
Body condition scoring is a simple, hands-on way to assess whether a pet is at a healthy weight, regardless of breed or size. Rather than relying on a number on a scale, veterinarians assess how easily ribs can be felt, whether a waist is visible from above, and how the abdomen looks from the side. It’s a more accurate picture than weight alone, especially across the wide range of pet sizes and builds.
If you suspect your pet could stand to lose a few pounds, the AVMA’s advice is straightforward: regular exercise, portion control, and check-ins with your veterinarian to track progress and adjust as needed. Small, consistent changes tend to work better than drastic ones, both for compliance and for your pet’s overall wellbeing.
At Vet For Pet Animal Hospital, our nutritional counseling team works with pet owners to build realistic, sustainable weight management plans tailored to each pet’s age, breed, and activity level. If you’re concerned about your pet’s weight, call us at (860) 519-1519 - East Hartford or (860) 519-1519 - Hamden to schedule a consultation.