Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
Obesity is a serious condition that affects both humans and animals. It’s essentially an excess of body fat that is enough to impact an individual’s welfare, health, and overall quality of life. While it can sometimes be caused by certain diseases, the leading cause of obesity is overeating and not getting enough exercise.
We’ve put together 15 statistics related to pet obesity for Canadian pet owners. We hope this will give you some eye-opening information that will help you to understand the seriousness of having an overweight pet.
In this guide, we’ll give you a range of interesting Canadian pet obesity statistics and facts.
You’re welcome to use our images, but we require you link directly to this site for credit (ex. Image from Pet Keen)
Obesity Statistics
1. 50–60% of pets were overweight in Canada in 2020.
(Kabo)
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association has stated that the number of pets in Canada that are overweight or obese is on the rise.
Image Credit: taro911 Photographer, Shutterstock
2. 75% of people are concerned when they see an overweight pet.
(Kabo)
This survey found that most Canadian pet owners are worried or sad when they see an obese pet.
3. Obesity rates change from province to province.
(Kabo)
Saskatchewan had the lowest obesity rates, with just 8% overweight dogs, compared to Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and Manitoba, which had over 30%.
4. More than half of Canadians believe that their pets are in perfect health.
(Canada’s Pet Wellness Report)
51% of dog owners and 58% of cat owners believe that their pets have no health issues and are in excellent health.
These dog owners ended up consulting their vets due to their dog’s weight issues. Table scraps are among the most significant contributing factors to weight gain.
7. 41% of dog owners gave their dogs more than two treats a day.
(Kabo)
Like table scraps, too many treats, particularly if they are given to your dog every day, can lead to weight gain.
8. 40% of dog owners feed their dogs an amount based on their own judgement.
(Kabo)
The best way to determine how much to feed your pet is to consult your vet or follow the guidelines on the food bag. If you consistently overfeed your dog, weight gain is inevitable.
9. Overfeeding is the most common mistake in a pet’s health.
(Canada’s Pet Wellness Report)
Veterinarians have found that the most common mistake that pet owners make with their pets is overfeeding. This is followed by feeding too many treats, making food available at all times, feeding their pets poor-quality food, and providing them with table scraps.
10. 45% of pet owners allow free-choice feeding.
(Canada’s Pet Wellness Report)
Less than half of pet owners stated that they are likely to allow free-choice feeding for their pets, which is leaving out food for the pet at all times. This can work for some pets, but not all animals have self-control.
11. 60% of pet owners are more likely to choose food based on their pet’s preference.
(Canada’s Pet Wellness Report)
It has been found that pet owners are much more likely to purchase pet food based on what their pet prefers over their pet’s actual health requirements. Only 33% of pet owners buy pet food based on their pet’s health needs.
Exercise Statistics
12. 55% of dogs aren’t getting enough exercise.
(Gentle Paw)
Dogs need a specific amount of exercise to maintain their health. Without the recommended amount, this can definitely lead to weight gain.
Image Credit: Best dog photo, Shutterstock
13. Pet owners spend less time exercising their pets over doing other entertainment.
(Canada’s Pet Wellness Report)
It’s been found that on an average weekday, pet owners tend to spend almost twice as much time on the internet (44 minutes) and three times as much watching TV (89 minutes) over playing with and exercising their pets, which averages 29 minutes.
14. Women spend more time than men on average exercising their pets.
(Canada’s Pet Wellness Report)
Women spend an average of about 28 minutes playing with and exercising their pets in comparison to men, who spend an average of 19 minutes.
15. Vets believe that most dogs and cats don’t receive enough exercise.
(Canada’s Pet Wellness Report)
Veterinarians believe that 55% of dogs and 70% of cats don’t receive enough exercise to maintain their health.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Canadians think that vets are important for their pet’s health?
When looking for information on pet care, three-fourths of Canadians who own pets believe that veterinarians are among the most important sources. (Packaged Facts)
What do Canadian pet owners consider most important when purchasing their pet food?
19% of pet owners are choosing food by its price, whereas only 14% are going by their pet’s health, and 8% are choosing it based on their pet’s age/life stage. (Canada’s Pet Wellness Report)
Image Credit: BearFotos, Shutterstock
What is the top concern that vets have for both cats’ and dogs’ health?
The top concerns for both dogs and cats are, unsurprisingly, weight control and feeding guidelines. The next top concerns for both species are dental care and oral health. (Canada’s Pet Wellness Report)
What do Canadian pet owners believe to be the most important thing that they can do for their pets?
The number-one thing that pet owners believed was the most important thing they could do to give their pets a better quality of life was exercise. (Canada’s Pet Wellness Report)
What are the best ways to know that your pet is in good health?
Veterinarians have listed five indicators of a pet in good overall health.
The pet has a healthy weight (shouldn’t be under or overweight).
The pet wants to exercise and play.
The pet has a healthy coat and skin.
The pet is evenly tempered (has a consistent mood).
The pet has clean teeth and gums.
(Canada’s Pet Wellness Report)
Conclusion
We do love to give our pets little treats, and sometimes the weather makes it more difficult to go outside, but we should always be vigilant when it comes to our pet’s health. We all want our pets to stay with us for as long as possible and be both healthy and happy.
If you’re at all concerned about your pet’s weight, have a conversation with your vet. This way, you’ll ensure that your pet will have a much longer and more comfortable life.
Kathryn was a librarian in a previous lifetime and is currently a writer about all things pets. When she was a child, she hoped to work in zoos or with wildlife in some way, thanks to her all-consuming love for animals. Unfortunately, she's not strong in the sciences, so she fills her days with researching and writing about all kinds of animals and spends time playing with her adorable but terribly naughty tabby cat, Bella. Kathryn is hoping to add to her family in the near future – maybe another cat and a dog....Read more
