According to the website, www.StopCanineObesity.com, obesity in dogs is an important – and very common – medical condition with serious health implications. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has estimated that there are 41.2 million pet dogs in the United States. Other sources estimate 40 percent of those dogs, approximately 17 million, are overweight or obese. A recent study conducted by Pfizer Animal Health found that veterinarians consider 47% of their patients overweight or obese but only 17% of dog owners think the same. Why the difference? It could be denial or the difficulty owners have in recognizing when their dogs are overweight.

Join the fight against obesity by participating in the National Canine Weight Check. Throughout the month February, veterinarians across the country are teaming up for the first-ever National Canine Weight Check, a free and simple way to help you determine if your dog is overweight. Just take your dog to a participating veterinary office, and in many cases, you won’t even need an appointment.

At the weight check:
- Your dog will receive a free weight assessment, including breed-specific information where applicable.
- You’ll receive a weight check card where you can keep a record of your dog’s weight, along with educational materials on canine obesity and its health implications.
- You’ll also receive a postcard that you can mail in for a free gift, just for participating in the weight check.

To locate a participating veterinary practice near you visit www.stopcanineobesity.com or click here.