Pet Obesity Awareness Month Puts Focus On Healthy Weight for Dogs and Cats
Hill's Pet Nutrition Offers Tips & Tools for Pet Parents
TORONTO, Oct. 13, 2026 /CNW/ -- October is National Pet Obesity Awareness Month in Canada - and while pet parents might not be aware, obesity is widespread among Canadian pets. According to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, 50 to 60 % of pets in Canada are overweight or obese.1
To help address this growing crisis, Hill's Pet Nutrition is encouraging pet parents to take a closer look at their pet's weight by offering tips and tools to help manage their pet's weight effectively.
"Weight gain can be hard to spot in your pet, but if you think they look overweight, be extra observant of their behavior," cautions Dr. Steph Keroack, professional veterinary affairs director for Hill's Pet Nutrition Canada. "Ultimately, feeding your pet the right nutrition to help it maintain a healthy weight is one of the most effective ways to care for your pet. However, if you're concerned, consulting your veterinarian is the best step toward helping your pet maintain a healthy weight."
Excess Weight Creates Health Risks
A few extra pounds can put additional stress on joints, and extra weight is associated with adverse health conditions including arthritis, diabetes, heart and respiratory disease2,3. Any one of these issues (or a combination of them) can decrease your dog's quality of life and potentially, shorten their lifespan.2
According to research published in the Journal of Nutrition, even being 10% overweight can significantly increase a dog's risk of developing serious health conditions.3
Spotting the Signs of Obesity
Weight gain and obesity occur over time, and the signs aren't always easy to detect. Here are some warning signs to watch for in your pet:
Know the Warning Signs |
|
For Dogs |
For Cats |
Slowing down on walks |
Slow movement |
Shortness of breath |
Shortness of breath |
Collar needs to be loosened |
Loss of an obvious waist |
Difficulty going up or down stairs |
Difficulty grooming hard-to-reach spots |
Sleeping more than normal |
Irritability or personality changes |
Some tips and tools from Hill's can help pet parents evaluate their pet's weight and help them determine whether it's time to talk with their veterinarian:
- Hill's provides a free Body Condition Score (BCS) guide to help pet parents understand what to look and feel for when evaluating their pet's body condition.
- Pet parents can also take Hill's L.O.V.E. Weight Test, an online assessment designed to help them take a closer look at their pet's body condition.
Meeting the Challenge
For many pet parents, managing their pets' weight can be challenging. In one study done by the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) at the University of Guelph, 532 pet owners were asked to estimate their pet's BCS. However, an overwhelming 94% of pet owners who said their pets were overweight indicated they were not likely to take action.
Researchers at the OVC found that managing a pet's weight can be deeply emotional. Many pet parents struggle to act because feeding is tied to affection, while others simply don't realize that extra weight, not just aging, is what's slowing their pet down.
But, helping your pet get healthy and lose weight doesn't have to be intimidating. The key first step is to contact your veterinarian. Conversation starters include:
- Is my pet at their ideal weight?
- How can I help my pet reach their ideal weight?
- How can food help manage my pet's weight?
Proper Nutrition is Key
Your veterinarian can help determine a pet's ideal weight and recommend nutrition and activity changes appropriate for their individual health needs. Hill's offers a variety of food and treats that are rigorously researched and tested, designed to help pet parents with pet weight care. In fact, nine out of 10 Canadian veterinarians recommend Hill's food4. These options include:
Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight
Unlike traditional foods that rely on severe calorie restriction, Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight focuses on nutrigenomics to support a pet's unique cell function and spark their metabolism to burn calories naturally. When fed Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight nutrition, more than 70% of pets lost weight within 10 weeks. The high protein, high fiber formula enriched with L-carnitine & coconut oil helps support pets' metabolism for a healthy body weight.
Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic
For obese pets, veterinarians often recommend a therapeutic food. Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic is clinically proven to help pets naturally lose weight by activating their metabolism. When fed Hill's Prescription Diet Metabolic, 96% of dogs lost weight at home in two months.
Learn more
Pet parents can learn more about Hill's End Pet Obesity campaign and access free tools for pet weight management at endpetobesity.ca.
Resources for Pet Parents
L.O.V.E. Weight Test:
https://www.hillspet.ca/en-ca/weight-management-pet-food/check-your-pet
Body Condition Score Guide:
https://www.hillspet.ca/en-ca/pet-care/resources/body-condition-score
Pet Calorie Converter:
https://www.hillspet.ca/en-ca/pet-calorie-converter
Dog Weight Management Resources:
https://www.hillspet.ca/en-ca/health-categories/dog/weight-management
Cat Weight Management Resources:
https://www.hillspet.ca/en-ca/health-categories/cat/weight-management
EndPetObesity.com
https://www.hillspet.ca/en-ca/weight-management-pet-food
About Hill's Pet Nutrition
Established more than 30 years ago, Hill's Pet Nutrition Canada is dedicated to pioneering research for dogs and cats using a scientific understanding of their specific needs. As a leading veterinarian recommended pet food brand, knowledge is our first ingredient with nearly 200 veterinarians, PhD nutritionists and food scientists working globally to develop breakthrough innovations in pet health. The team of 80 Hill's people in Canada constantly strives to develop innovative solutions for pet health. Hill's offers a full line of nutrition products, including Hill's Prescription Diet therapeutic nutrition and Hill's Science Diet wellness products, which are available at veterinary clinics and pet specialty retailers throughout Canada. For more information about their products and nutritional philosophy, please visit HillsPet.ca.
References
1 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, & Hill's Pet Nutrition. (2011). Canada's pet wellness report: A snapshot of Canada's pet health and wellness.
2 Salt, C., Morris, P. J., Wilson, D., Lund, E. M., & German, A. J. (2019). Association between life span and body condition in neutered client-owned dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 33(1), 89–99. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15367
3 German, A. J. (2006). The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. The Journal of Nutrition, 136(7), 1940S–1946S. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/136.7.1940S
4 Kynetec Survey, 2025.
Melissa Chesnut
Global Corporate Communications Director
[email protected]
SOURCE Hill's Pet Nutrition
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