Does Your Dog Need a New Year's Diet Too?… Royal Canin Suggests Pet Health Management

Royal Canin stated that the proportion of obesity among companion animals is increasing and presented guidelines to help manage the weight and health of pets in the new year.

[Photo by Royal Canin]

According to Royal Canin on the 18th, a study related to the Body Condition Score (BCS), which classifies pet obesity into nine levels, was announced by the American veterinary hospital franchise Banfield. The percentage of dogs rated at levels 8 to 9 increased by 9 percentage points from 10% in 2007 to 19% in 2018. During the same period, the percentage of cats increased significantly by 15 percentage points, from 19% to 34%.

In particular, some pets suffer from severe obesity that cannot be measured by the existing obesity index, showing a condition more serious than ‘BCS level 9,’ which indicates about 40% above the ideal weight.

According to a retrospective study conducted by Royal Canin in collaboration with the University of Liverpool, an investigation of 361 dogs and 135 cats treated at obesity treatment clinics from 2004 to 2022 found that 46% of the treated dogs and cats were obese, exceeding their ideal weight by more than 40%.

Obesity in pets can cause various complications such as endocrine diseases, arthritis, and cancer, making it one of the most significant health issues that reduce the quality of life for companion animals. Veterinary organizations such as the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA), and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) classify obesity as a disease.

Dr. Younghwa Kwak, Chief Veterinarian at Royal Canin, said, “Obesity is a disease that can cause various illnesses or worsen underlying conditions, so it is very important for owners to consistently pay attention to preventing obesity.” She added, “Regular check-ups not only allow early detection of diseases but also enable owners to confirm their pet’s current weight status and receive advice on proper weight management through consultations with veterinarians. Therefore, we hope owners visit animal hospitals regularly to prevent and treat obesity.”

Meanwhile, Royal Canin has long been developing scientifically researched pet food and conducting campaigns to prevent and treat pet obesity. In 2005, Royal Canin established a pet weight management clinic with the University of Liverpool, helping approximately 620 dogs and cats lose weight over 20 years, with 261 of them successfully reaching their target weight. In Korea, Royal Canin is also running a ‘Pet Weight Management Campaign’ to raise awareness about the importance of pet obesity and weight management and provide owners with easy and diverse information they can apply in daily life.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.