The importance of proactively discussing canine obesity with owners

Obesity is a complex and multifactorial condition with various risk factors, whether they are genetic, physiological, behavioural or owner-related^2. Some of these factors can be proactively addressed requiring the involvement of the owner, with the support of the veterinary care team.

Recent research suggests that there is a significant discrepancy between what dog owners perceive as a healthy weight for their dog, and what vets diagnose in practice¹. Indeed, 77% of owners think their pet is the right size and weight¹, and only 4% of pet owners are aware their pet is overweight^1. This misconception about what a healthy weight should look like can result in an unintentional lack of weight management on the dog owners’ part, leading to significant health consequences and severe comorbidities. Most dog owners don’t realise canine obesity is a major health issue reducing quality of life^1, as they rarely consult their vet about their dog’s weight: recent research indicates that 50% of pet owners have never sought veterinary advice on this matter^1.

Furthermore, research indicates that dog owners are most likely to enrol in weight management programs when they receive recommendations from a vet or veterinary staff, when the supervision of these programs is undertaken by members of the veterinary team, and when they understand that weight loss will improve their dog’s health³. This highlights the importance of discussing weight management in the veterinary practice: this is the vet and the veterinary team responsibility to partner with owners to educate them and create a common understanding of what a healthy weight should be ^{1, 2.} To achieve this, the veterinary care team needs to regularly and proactively discuss the matter with dog owners in a timely and supportive manner².

Understand the owner’s perspective

Show empathy and active listening to set the right tone

Show the dog owner you care about their dog’s health. The topic of dog’s weight should be approached with empathy, not blame. Empathy is critical, as most of the time owners want to do what’s best for their dog. Position yourself as a supportive partner rather than a critic.

Positioning yourself as a supportive partner rather than a critic will help frame the conversation positively, and make it about the dog’s health, not its aesthetics.

To start the conversation with the right foot, make sure you make it personal. For instance, when greeting the owner and the dog into the consultation room, make sure you call both of them by their names.

Throughout the whole consultation, a neutral, non-judgemental, supportive tone and language can be used. This will avoid stigma and ensure that veterinary care and advice continues to be sought in the future².

Active listening can help ensure the dog owner feels listened to. Asking open-ended questions will help involve the owner in the discussion, while also gathering a comprehensive anamnesis. Active listening will also contribute to the owner feeling heard and valued and will participate in building trust. Make sure you allow owners to talk and visibly acknowledge what they say.

Here are some examples of sentences that could be used:

• “What do you think about [dog’s name]’s weight?”
• “Tell me about your daily feeding routine”
• “Have you noticed any changes in energy levels or mobility?”
• “Would you be open to a small change, like measuring portions more precisely?”

Also, this is not only about the words we use, but the non-verbal communication.

• Establish eye contact.
• Don’t cross your arms.

Frame the conversation positively, to emphasise benefits of a healthy weight

Frame the conversation positively, to emphasise benefits of a healthy weight

Obesity is a legitimate clinical condition² and should be handled as such. This science-based conversation should be framed positively, focussing on achievable benefits, not on what is currently wrong. Positive reinforcement will help owners feel motivated rather than judged or criticised.

Use science and facts, to position weight management as a way to « adding happy years » rather than as a judgement and emphasise the benefits of a healthy weight and effective feeding strategies on their dog’s future health and well-being: longevity, mobility, quality of life².

Here are some examples of sentences that could be used:

• “Losing just x% of body weight can significantly improve joint health.”
• “A healthier weight could help reduce [dog’s name]’s risk of arthritis and diabetes.”
• “Maintaining a healthy weight can help [dog’s name] live a longer, happier life.”

Avoid using negative sentences, refrain from trivialising or stigmatising. For instance, the following statements should be avoided:

• ” Your dog is overweight, and this is a problem”.
•  “[Dog’s name]is just a bit chunky” (Don’t trivialise the problem¹)
•  “[Dog’s name] is fat” (Don’t stigmatise¹)

In addition to the benefits of a healthy weight, and depending on the owner’s communication profile and priorities, other types of benefits can be highlighted. For instance, by ensuring their dog is healthy and at their optimal weight, owners are more likely to save money on their dog in the longer term¹.

Involve the owner in the solution

• Make the dog owner part of the process, by offering to work as a partnership, with realistic and achievable goals: « Let’s set a small goal together ». The aim is to ensure you don’t impose restrictions but agree with the owner on a realistic weight loss plan.
•  Offer tailored, gradual and achievable objectives, rather than strict and unattainable goals. Small changes can make a big difference! If the goals are too drastic, the owner might feel overwhelmed and more likely to disengage.

Formulate a clear nutritional recommendation

As animal health experts, vets should be the most relevant interlocutors to formulate nutritional recommendations to dog owners. As such, reclaim your status as animal health professionals and don’t shy away from talking about nutrition, as nutrition should be part of the veterinary consultation. As said before, 50% of owners of overweight dogs do not seek veterinary guidance on this matter so there is definitely an opportunity to put this topic back into the hands of the veterinary care team.

Offer consistent follow-up and support to ensure owner’s engagement

Weight management is a long-term process, requiring a comprehensive management program³ and a consistent on-going support and follow-up from the vet practice.

• Offer additional resources (feeding guides, educational leaflets, links to online educational content). The help sheet for dog owners on how to help your dog loose weight from UK Petfood can be a useful resource^5.
• Ensure follow-up is organised after the consultation, either via email or by a phone call from the receptionist, to keep owners engaged. Maybe an IA solution could help automatise this. Vet nurses can step in to ensure follow-ups.
• Organise regular weigh-ins and progress checks to keep owners engaged (weight loss clinics for example). These should be really highlighted as a way to record progress, not criticism.
• Provide ongoing encouragement.
• Celebrate small wins.

 Discussing canine obesity with dog owners doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. With empathy, positivity, and a solution-focused approach based on science and facts, the veterinary care team can turn a difficult conversation into an opportunity to build a collaborative partnership with owners to improve their dog’s quality of life. Small, consistent changes lead to long-term health benefits—and with the right guidance, owners will feel empowered rather than criticised.