Overweight and obesity in dogs

Measured in 8 breeds across 8 sources. Figures are grouped by how they were measured, because those groups are not comparable with one another.

13.2%Highest recorded
8Breeds measured
$258Typical treatment cost

1-year clinical

Share of dogs recorded with the condition in a single year of veterinary records.

Not a lifetime risk. A dog that develops this at age 9 is not counted in a year it was not diagnosed.

  • Pug

    clinical or cohort VetCompass Pug 2022, 2016

    UK primary-care dogs of this breed

    13.2% 11.1% to 15.4% $258 typical

  • English Cocker Spaniel

    clinical or cohort VetCompass English Cocker 2023, 2016 n = 10,313

    10,313 English Cocker Spaniels under UK primary veterinary care

    9.9% 8.7% to 11.1% $258 typical

  • Labrador Retriever

    clinical or cohort VetCompass Labrador 2018, 2013 n = 183

    2,074 Labrador Retrievers under UK primary veterinary care

    8.8% 7.6% to 10.1% $258 typical

  • Bulldog

    clinical or cohort VetCompass Bulldog 2019, 2013 n = 141

    1,621 Bulldogs under UK primary veterinary care

    8.7% 7.4% to 10.2% $258 typical

  • Miniature Schnauzer

    clinical or cohort VetCompass Mini Schnauzer 2019, 2013 n = 164

    3,857 Miniature Schnauzers under UK primary veterinary care

    8.3% 7.1% to 9.6% $258 typical

  • West Highland White Terrier

    clinical or cohort VetCompass Westie 2019, 2016 n = 126

    6,605 West Highland White Terriers under UK primary veterinary care

    6.1% 5.1% to 7.2% $258 typical

  • Chihuahua

    clinical or cohort VetCompass Chihuahua 2020, 2016

    11,647 Chihuahuas under UK primary veterinary care

    5.9% 5.3% to 6.5% $258 typical

  • German Shepherd

    clinical or cohort VetCompass GSD 2017, 2013 n = 86

    1,660 German Shepherd Dogs under UK primary veterinary care

    5.2% 4.2% to 6.4% $258 typical

Where these figures come from

  • VetCompass Pug 2022 Grade A

    O'Neill DG, et al. Health of Pug dogs in the UK: disorder predispositions and protections. Canine Medicine and Genetics. 2022;9:4.

    View source
  • VetCompass English Cocker 2023 Grade A

    Engdahl KS, Brodbelt DC, Cameron C, Church DB, Hedhammar A, O'Neill DG. Demography and disorders of English Cocker Spaniels under primary veterinary care in the UK. Canine Medicine and Genetics. 2023;10:1.

    View source
  • VetCompass Labrador 2018 Grade A

    McGreevy PD, Wilson BJ, Mansfield CS, Church DB, Brodbelt DC, Dhand N, Soares Magalhaes RJ, O'Neill DG. Labrador retrievers under primary veterinary care in the UK: demography, mortality and disorders. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology. 2018;5:8.

    View source
  • VetCompass Bulldog 2019 Grade A

    O'Neill DG, Skipper AM, Kadhim J, Church DB, Brodbelt DC, Packer RMA. Disorders of Bulldogs under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2013. PLOS ONE. 2019;14(6):e0217928.

    View source
  • VetCompass Mini Schnauzer 2019 Grade A

    O'Neill DG, Butcher C, Church DB, Brodbelt DC, Gough AG. Miniature Schnauzers under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2013: demography, mortality and disorders. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology. 2019;6:1.

    View source
  • VetCompass Westie 2019 Grade A

    O'Neill DG, Ballantyne ZF, Hendricks A, Church DB, Brodbelt DC, Pegram C. West Highland White Terriers under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2016: demography, mortality and disorders. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology. 2019;6:7.

    View source
  • VetCompass Chihuahua 2020 Grade A

    O'Neill DG, Packer RMA, Lobb M, Church DB, Brodbelt DC, Pegram C. Demography and commonly recorded clinical conditions of Chihuahuas under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2016. BMC Veterinary Research. 2020;16:42.

    View source
  • VetCompass GSD 2017 Grade A

    O'Neill DG, Coulson NR, Church DB, Brodbelt DC. Demography and disorders of German Shepherd Dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology. 2017;4:7.

    View source

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