The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) estimated that over half of the U.S. dogs and cats are overweight or obese in the US.1 Based on the American Pet Products Association (APPA) population data from 2018–2019, this corresponds to approximately 50 million dogs and 56 million cats. Obesity can affect your pet’s overall well-being and make it vulnerable to health issues, most of which can be fatal for your furry friend. The National Pet Obesity Awareness Day is all about creating this awareness.
This special day is observed on the second Wednesday in October every year, which will fall on the 14th in 2026. National Pet Obesity Awareness Day is a fantastic opportunity for owners to learn about healthy pet weight and balanced diet from professional vets across the US.
On this day, healthcare professionals survey different pets and pet owners to gather information about this issue to understand the situation in the country. Keep reading to learn everything you should know about this day!
A Brief History of National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
Humans have been keeping pets as long as humans have been around for many purposes. While some people used them for sledding or herding, others kept them for companionship. Over the years, we have seen a considerable increase in obesity in pets.
Excessive food and sweets consumption can harm your pet’s well-being and safety. But you won’t know it unless you don’t recognize that there is a problem. Many pet owners believe that their pet is at an average weight. However, they can unknowingly suffer from obesity.
It’s hard to believe your cat or dog is overweight, but you shouldn’t stay in denial for long. After all, obesity can lead to specific health issues, such as arthritis, diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure.
Today, more than 50% of dogs and cats are overweight, amounting to nearly 50 million dogs and 56 million cats.2 Obesity is a serious health concern, and it isn’t good to watch your pet suffer. Thus, in 2007, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) stepped in to start the National Pet Obesity Awareness Day to educate humans about obesity concerns in pets.
What Is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day About?
On National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, the APOP promotes its annual Pet Obesity & Nutrition Survey, where veterinarians and pet owners can voluntarily submit information about their pets’ weight, feeding habits, and body condition. This helps track national trends and raise public awareness.
According to APOP’s president, Ernie Ward, we are experiencing the first generation of pets with pudgy pooches that might not live for long. Obesity can significantly affect a pet’s health. Excess body fat contributes to diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, respiratory problems, reduced mobility, and some cancers, and it is associated with a shorter lifespan. APOP and veterinary experts emphasize that obesity is preventable through balanced feeding, portion control, and regular exercise.
National Pet Obesity Awareness Day serves as a reminder that maintaining a healthy weight is essential for pets’ long-term well-being—and that small, consistent changes in feeding and activity can make a big difference.
The 6 Ways to Celebrate National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
1. Identify if Your Pet Is Overweight
First, you must identify if your pet has a weight management problem. Surprisingly, APOP found that a significant number of pet owners don’t realize that their dogs or cats are obese, and hence, they don’t take the necessary steps to overcome this issue. So, the best you can do for your pet this National Pet Obesity Awareness Day is to figure out if it needs help.
You can compare your pet’s shape with the American Animal Hospital Association’s body condition scoring chart. If you have no idea how this works, you can schedule a vet’s visit and let them assess your pet’s body weight.
You can also ask the professional to teach you how to check body condition scoring at home. The vet may also provide a report about your pet’s changing body weight.
2. Commit to Maintaining Your Pet’s Healthy Weight
Obesity is a medical concern for pets, as it impacts not just their health but their mood as well. If your dog is overweight or will soon be, you must do something about it.
First, commit to maintaining your pet’s ideal weight. Then, talk to your vet and develop an action plan. The professional will test your pet to assess their daily nutritional requirements. Based on the results, they will give you guidelines about controlling, monitoring, and improving your pet’s weight.
3. Take Your Pet to the Park
Pets need regular mental and physical stimulation to stay healthy and happy. Like humans, many pets may overeat to relieve their stress. Some also engage in destructive activities out of boredom. So, on this day, you can take your pet to the nearest park to help them socialize with other dogs and cats.
Your dog will be more active and happier when it meets other animals. You can also socialize with other pet parents and schedule playdates.
4. Take the Survey
You can also participate in the Pet Nutrition and Weight Management survey to give valuable input for a greater cause. With your provided data, vet experts can better tackle pet obesity issues in the US. You may even win a free copy of a book titled “Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs Are Getting Fatter,” by APOP’s founder Ernie Ward.
5. Give Your Pet Healthy and Delicious Snacks to Celebrate the Day
Since it’s your pet’s day, you should celebrate it with delicious snacks, right? It may seem counterintuitive, but it is far better to give your pet healthy treats than scraps from your dinner plate. You can try unflavored popcorn, fruits, and veggies your pet loves.
Remember, dogs don’t like every vegetable. Their favorite ones include broccoli, carrots, grape tomatoes, green beans, celery, and asparagus. You can opt for non-seeded apple slices, strawberries, watermelons, cantaloupes, bananas, and blueberries in fruits.
No matter what treats you choose, don’t give your pet more than 10% of its daily calorie intake. Doing so will satisfy your pet’s cravings and keep them at optimal weight.
6. Start Giving Your Pet Measured Meals
Some pet owners feed their dogs or cats, meaning keeping their food bowls always full. This promotes overeating in pets, as they crave more food after finishing the contents in the bowl. As a result, you can end up with an overweight dog always asking for food.
Read the feeding instructions mentioned on the dog food packet to know how much one serving weighs. Alternatively, you can ask your vet to decide the ideal food proportions for your pet according to its daily activities.
Conclusion
The National Pet Obesity Awareness Day will be celebrated on Oct 14, 2026, or the second Wednesday of October every year. It’s the occasion where vets and healthcare professionals gather and educate pet owners about obesity and its risks.
Your pet can become obese over time, so you must know how to identify its early signs. That’s the first step in helping your furry friend overcome this issue before it leads to health issues. So, celebrate this National Pet Obesity Awareness Day by promising to improve your pet’s health.
Featured Image Credit: Benoit Daoust, Shutterstock
A Brief History of National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
