A new study shows that 5% of the UK’s cat and dog owners have never weighed their pet at the vet, while 11% don’t remember when they last conducted a weigh-in.
46% of the UK population are cat and dog owners, meaning that over 1.5 million Brits are unaware of their pets’ weight and health status.
Despite the nation’s affection for their furry companions, pet obesity is a huge issue. The latest survey by Go.Compare Pet Insurance asked pet owners to rank their pet’s weight according to a provided scale, and the results revealed that almost half (46%) of Britain’s cats and dogs are overweight.
Dogs fare better than cats in maintaining a healthy weight. According to the survey, 58% of dog owners reported that their pets fall into the healthy weight category, compared to only 46% of cat owners. But while some owners are on the ball with scheduling regular check-ups for their pets, others might let months or even years pass without having their pets weighed by a vet.
Notably, there is a large disparity between dog and cat owners when it comes to scheduling weigh-ins for their pets.
22% of dog owners made sure their pets were weighed in the last one to three months, and only 2% have never had their dogs weighed at the vet. Meanwhile, a staggering 10% of cat owners have never weighed their pets at the vet, and only 16% of owners have done so in the last one to three months.
Alison Thomas, head of veterinary standards at Blue Cross, discussed the importance of regularly monitoring our pets’ weight: “Given the impact on health, disease, quality of life and life span, it is extremely important for owners to manage their pet’s weight and understand any risk factors their pet has.
“Body condition score charts are available online and can help owners know what a healthy body shape should be in their dog or cat and conversations with their vet can help owners manage diet and exercise for the best health outcome throughout life and after events such as neutering.”
Rhys Jones, pet insurance expert at Go.Compare said: “Neglecting vital health checks such as regular weigh-ins at the vet can have serious consequences for our beloved pets. Not only does this impact their overall health, but it can also lead to increased risks of issues like obesity and related conditions.
“From an insurance perspective, the implications are significant as well. Many pet insurance policies classify obesity as a pre-existing condition, which can lead to higher premiums and limited coverage for related health issues.
“By prioritising regular vet visits and staying proactive about monitoring their pets’ weight, owners can not only improve their pets’ wellbeing, but potentially save on insurance costs in the long run.”
More information about the research is available on Go.Compare’s website.
