Recent data suggests that owning an overweight pet could lead to hefty vet bills, with each visit costing owners around £1,500. Health issues associated with excessive weight, such as cruciate ligament injuries, urinary tract disease, diabetes, and arthritis, can incur significant expenses. Treating cruciate ligament injuries alone can amount to £1,578.28, while urinary tract disease for cats can reach £752.06. On average, pet owners are spending £682.65 for diabetes-related vet visits and £476.61 for arthritis treatments, according to figures from pet insurer ManyPets.

A survey of 2,000 pet owners revealed that 51% are already worried about their pets’ weight, and 18% believe their pets are overweight. Nearly one in five pet owners admit to spending more money to address their pets’ fluctuating weight. These findings are part of ManyPets’ ‘Why Weight?’ report and the launch of its Obesity Learning Hub.

Steven Mendel, chief executive and co-founder of ManyPets, emphasized the importance of pet parents being mindful of their pets’ weight to prevent obesity-related health issues. Despite financial constraints, with 22% of pet owners making cutbacks to their pets’ lifestyles due to the rising cost of living, Mendel urges responsible pet care.

Although 88% of pet owners believe they can identify signs of their pet’s unhealthy weight, only 31% regularly monitor their pet’s weight. This lack of vigilance could contribute to unchecked weight gain, especially since 39% of pet owners only visit the vet in emergencies.

To combat weight gain, 76% of pet owners try to keep their pets active, and 75% limit treats and table scraps. However, challenges persist, with 22% feeling their pet is always hungry, and 19% puzzled by their pet’s weight despite not overfeeding them.

Mendel concluded by acknowledging that while pet owners may believe it’s easy to recognize weight gain in their pets, the reality often proves otherwise.