Canadian Cats Face Rising Obesity Crisis

More than half of pets in Canada are overweight or obese, a figure that raises concerns about chronic health problems and shortened lifespans. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Pet Wellness Report, in partnership with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, reports 50-60% of pets fall into this category.

A 17-year-old cat named Max, adopted in 2017, illustrates the issue. At eight years old he was already overweight, and his excess weight compounded chronic kidney disease and osteoarthritis. In 2025, his owner Cathy Ren sought help from the Ontario Veterinary College’s new OVC Hill’s Pet Nutrition Weight Care Program, which launched that same year.

During Max’s first clinic visit he weighed 6.09 kg, more than a kilogram above his ideal weight, and had a Body Condition Score of 8 out of 9-well above the healthy 5 out of 9 for most pets. The program’s challenge was to reduce weight without harming kidney function or losing lean muscle. A tailored plan using both dry and wet therapeutic weight-management foods, along with careful portion control and regular weigh-ins, enabled Max to reach a BCS of 6 out of 9 by April 2026.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition reports that 9 out of 10 Canadian veterinarians recommend its products and offers online tools such as the L.O.V.E. Weight Test to help owners assess their pets.

Key takeaways

• Over 50% of Canadian pets are overweight or obese, increasing chronic disease risk.
• The OVC Hill’s Pet Nutrition Weight Care Program began in 2025 and supports weight loss while protecting kidney health.
• Max, a senior cat, lost weight safely with a mix of dry and wet therapeutic foods, improving his BCS from 8 to 6.
• Most Canadian veterinarians endorse Hill’s Pet Nutrition, which provides online weight-assessment tools.
• One ounce of cheese for a cat equals the calories of three and a half hamburgers for a human.

Ready to bring a cat or kitten home? Browse adoptable cats and kittens on Petfinnly.

Originally reported by Modern Cat. Read the full article.

Cover photo by Anete Lusina via Pexels.