Partnership emphasizes importance of nutrition in preventing obesity

Photo: OlegDoroshin/Adobe Stock

Virbac, a global animal health company, has announced a strategic alliance with the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) in an effort to confront the growing threat of pet obesity in the United States. In their collaboration, Virbac plans to develop educational resources and tools for both veterinary practices and pet owners. The resources will look to address the root cause of pet obesity, emphasizing the importance of tailored nutrition to maintain pets’ metabolic health following the spay or neutering procedure.¹

“Our collaboration with APOP underscores Virbac’s commitment to positively changing the landscape on improving the health and well-being of pets through targeted interventions,” Fabrice Payot, DVM, vice president new business at Virbac, said in a news release.¹ “It’s so important for veterinarians and their clients to understand the root cause of obesity, and how metabolic changes [that] occur after the pet has been spayed or neutered [can] trigger weight gain. We can help make a difference by tailoring their diet to one that is higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates. We are also passionate about educating pet owners so they can make informed decisions.”

A 2022 study conducted by the APOP concluded that 59% of dogs and 61% of cats in the United States classified as overweight or obese.² Both dogs and cats saw slight increases from the same study conducted 4 years earlier, up from 56% and 60%, respectively.² In contrast, a 2023 APOP survey found that just 28% of cat owners and 17% of dog owners acknowledged that their pets were overweight.³ Similarly, 84% of dog owners and 70% of cat owners assessed their pets’ body condition as healthy, but less than 50% of respondents reported that their veterinarians discussed their pet’s ideal healthy weight at their annual appointments.^2,3

The contrast between pets that are overweight or obese and pet owners that acknowledge their own pet’s obesity exemplifies the lack of awareness that this partnership looks to address. The partners believe that educating pet owners early in the pet’s life will make a difference and prevent pets from becoming overweight.

“We are excited to welcome Virbac, as they will enhance our ability to address pet obesity through innovative nutrition solutions, and providing [veterinary practices] with dietary interventions, tools, and support,” Ernie Ward, DVM, CVET, founder and president of APOP, said.¹ “We are incredibly excited to work with Virbac’s global network of experts and innovators to help achieve our goals.”

Citing the fact that pets are more likely to become obese following spay and neutering procedures, Virbac offers a pet food line specifically formulated to address the metabolic needs of spayed and neutered pets. The food has lower carbohydrates and higher protein and fiber levels.¹ Their partnership with APOP, a company that has been raising awareness about pet obesity since 2005, is their next step in raising awareness about the importance of pet nutrition in obesity prevention.⁴

References

1. Press Release: Virbac Partners with Association of Pet Obesity Prevention to Increase Awareness, Importance of Pet Nutrition. News release. Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. September 5, 2024. Accessed September 9, 2024. https://www.petobesityprevention.org/articlesandnews/press-release-virbac-partners-with-association-of-pet-obesity-prevention-to-increase-awareness-importance-of-pet-nutritionnbsp
2. 2022 Pet Obesity U.S. Prevalence Survey. Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. 2022. Accessed September 9, 2024. https://www.petobesityprevention.org/2022
3. Ward, E. 2023 Pet Weight Management and Nutritional Survey. Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. 2023. Accessed September 9, 2024. https://www.petobesityprevention.org/2023
4. About APOP. Association for Pet Obesity and Prevention. Accessed September 9, 2024. https://www.petobesityprevention.org/ourmission