New Banfield® research reveals one in three pets in U.S. is overweight

Banfield Pet Hospital^® today released its 2017 State of Pet Health™ Report, highlighting a widespread trend of overweight pets nationwide. One in three pets that visited a Banfield hospital in 2016 was diagnosed as overweight or obese—and in the past 10 years, Banfield witnessed a 169 percent increase in overweight cats and a 158 percent increase in overweight dogs.

The largest report of its kind, the State of Pet Health Report captures medical data from the more than 2.5 million dogs and 500,000 cats Banfield cared for in 2016. Data from common diseases impacting the health of pets was analyzed to share trends, insights and potential solutions with pet owners and the veterinary community at large.

“At Banfield, we deeply believe in preventive care and early disease diagnosis—a key component of which is the partnership between pet owners and veterinarians,” said Dr. Daniel Aja, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Banfield Pet Hospital. “As our 2017 State of Pet Health Report shows, overweight pets—and the many related conditions associated with those extra pounds—are critical issues that we strive to both educate pet owners on and address in partnership with our clients to ultimately help pets live their best life.”

Being overweight does not simply impact how a pet looks or feels. It is also associated with other chronic conditions that can have negative consequences for a pet’s overall health and quality of life. According to the report, diseases linked with obesity, such as arthritis and tracheal collapse in dogs, have concurrently been trending upward over the past decade.

And those extra pounds don’t stop at negatively impacting pets—Banfield’s research revealed pet owners of overweight and obese pets pay considerably more in healthcare costs than those of healthy-weight dogs: Owners of overweight dogs spend 17 percent more on healthcare costs and 25 percent more on medications; owners of overweight cats spend 36 percent more on diagnostic procedures compared to owners of healthy-weight cats.

To learn more about pet-obesity trends, the State of Pet Health Report and tips for addressing weight issues, visit www.stateofpethealth.com.

About Banfield Pet Hospital^®

Founded in Portland, Ore., in 1955, Banfield is the largest general-veterinary practice in the world. In 2007, Banfield joined the Mars, Inc. family of businesses, and today has more than 975 hospitals across the United States and Puerto Rico. More than 3,500 Banfield veterinarians are committed to providing high-quality veterinary care for three million pets annually. Banfield's charitable arm, the Banfield Foundation, was established in 2015 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the well-being of pets and communities. Press seeking additional information are invited to call the Media Hotline: (888) 355-0595.

###