How to talk to clients about pet obesity

Few conversations in general practice have the potential to add years to a pet’s life while simultaneously making many veterinary professionals uncomfortable. Talking about obesity is one of those conversations.

Obesity is one of the most common conditions that we see in our patients, affecting an estimated 59% of dogs and 61% of cats. And even though it is a readily treatable condition, correcting it can often be very challenging. While we can’t control what happens once a pet leaves our hospital, we can do things to set pet owners up for success when it comes to weight management.

Mindset matters

It can be easy for our own internal narrative to fall into negative thinking traps surrounding pet obesity. Have you ever had any of these thoughts? (I sure have!):

• What if they get offended? I don’t want them to think I’m judging them.
• Getting buy-in on weight loss feels overwhelming.
• I don’t have time for this conversation today.
• Why bother? They’re not going to change anything.

As health care providers, we know that body condition plays a significant role in health, longevity, and even the human-animal bond. We need to have these conversations, and the best way to start them is by being in the right frame of mind before we enter the exam room. Survey data shows that many veterinarians report emotional responses from owners during discussions about pets’ weight. And yet, at the same time, pet owners report little to no discomfort discussing their pet’s weight.¹ Let’s put judgment aside and acknowledge that you have an opportunity to make a positive impact on both the pet and the owner.

Partner in the diagnosis

Now that we’re ready to start the exam, part of our objective will be to get owner buy-in on a diagnosis of obesity. Our ultimate goal is treatment. But before an owner can commit to treatment, they first need to understand and accept the diagnosis. For example, it would be difficult to convince an owner to start insulin therapy if they didn't believe their pet had diabetes.

A body condition scoring chart is going to be our best friend for this task. It’s an objective and judgment-free tool. While it may feel uncomfortable if the pet ends up being scored as an 8/9, the truth is that it is simply a factual assessment. You can partner with the owner to score the pet together and use it as an opportunity to educate them on simple ways to monitor body condition at home by palpation and visual cues. I especially like having this conversation during puppy and kitten visits to help set owners up for lifelong weight management success.

Help owners understand the why

Once we have our diagnosis, the next step is to ensure the owner understands why a healthy weight matters. Obesity is a medical condition that has health consequences such as increased risk of impaired mobility, osteoarthritis, pancreatitis, diabetes, and neoplasia. These conditions don’t just affect the pet; they can also diminish the quality of the human-animal bond by making it harder for pets to play or participate in daily routines that bring joy to them and their families.

As we discuss these risks, our role is to communicate facts without conveying judgment. Obesity should be described as a medical condition. Relying on euphemisms such as “fluffy” or “chonky” to soften the impact can inadvertently minimize the seriousness of the diagnosis. (That being said, if an owner uses one of these terms, I will happily laugh with them to foster our rapport before I steer the conversation back to medical content.)

Finally, ensure the owner understands that we are completing a thorough medical evaluation to identify any underlying conditions, such as hypothyroidism or conditions that may be limiting activity. While this is good medicine, it also helps the owner to recognize that we are looking at the whole picture and not assigning blame.

Create a plan

The next step is to partner with the owner on a realistic treatment plan. Just like we wouldn’t diagnose diabetes and instruct an owner to “give some insulin”, we shouldn’t diagnose obesity and stop at “feed less, exercise more.”

And yet, that’s often easier said than done. Right now, we’re focusing on discussing weight management with owners, but we know that in reality we’re trying to pack a lot into a limited appointment time. The physical exam, preventive care, owner concerns, and treatment plans are all competing priorities.

It helps to have a consistent process in place before creating a weight management plan for your patients. Identify the preferred resources that you’ll use regularly so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel time and again. Online calorie and weight-loss calculators, such as those available through the Pet Nutrition Alliance, can simplify feeding recommendations, and trusted educational resources like the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines and the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention can reinforce your recommendations at home.

Decide in advance your typical threshold for recommending a prescription weight-loss diet versus an over-the-counter option. Become familiar with a handful of preferred diets, and identify the tools you recommend for tracking calories, treats, and activity. A standardized approach reduces decision fatigue, improves consistency, and allows you to keep your attention focused on partnering with the owner.

But we can’t do it all, and we don’t have to. Weight management is an ideal opportunity to leverage the veterinary team. With appropriate training, standardized protocols, and the right tools and resources, support team members can confidently assist owners in creating and implementing a weight loss plan. By empowering the team, veterinarians can improve efficiency while ensuring clients receive the education, support, and accountability that is most likely to lead to success.

Follow up for success

As with any chronic disease, consistent monitoring and support are vital to success. Many owners have strong feelings surrounding feeding their pets. Feeding meals and treats are often a significant part of the human-animal bond. We love giving our pets things that bring them joy, and food brings a lot of joy to many pets. Owners are going to need encouragement and support as they make lifestyle changes in how they interact with their pet and engage in the slow process of weight loss.

Follow-up appointments don’t need to be lengthy. Trained team members can perform a weight check, a body condition score assessment, troubleshoot challenges, adjust feeding recommendations, and celebrate wins. These check-ins also help to reinforce that weight management is an ongoing medical priority.

We are faced with overweight pets and the opportunity to engage owners in supportive, educational conversations about weight management every day in veterinary practice. Owners come to us to help their pets live longer, healthier lives, and they are less sensitive to conversations about their pet’s weight than we imagine. When we approach these conversations without judgment, with empathy, and with the understanding that obesity is a medical condition, we don’t just help pets lose weight; we help them gain healthier years with the people who love them.

References:

• Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Accessed August 25, 2026. https://www.petobesityprevention.org/
• World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Global Nutrition Guidelines. WSAVA. Published March 20, 2024. Updated June 17, 2026. Accessed August 25, 2026. https://wsava.org/global-guidelines/global-nutrition-guidelines/
• Pet Nutrition Alliance. Accessed August 25, 2026. https://petnutritionalliance.org