Happy dog in a grassy field looking up.

Trending attitudes toward dog
health and wellness

We know pup parents want to give their dogs the longest, happiest life possible. We also know that over half of America’s dogs are overweight, which can lead to a whole host of health complications.

Owner happily looking at her dog that is very eager to eat the food in the bowl she is holding.

Icon of a dog eating from a bowl of Ollie's fresh food.

At Ollie, we’re constantly talking about how to help dogs live a happier, healthier life.

While we may be experts on the topic, we started to wonder — what kind of conversations are pup parents having about their dogs' health?

We believe uncovering and understanding attitudes about food, weight management, and holistic wellness could help us create a healthier generation of pups. With that in mind, we surveyed 2,000 dog owners to see how their perceptions may be feeding into current health trends.

Girl happily looking at her happy dog.

Icon of a speech bubble with an exclamation mark inside.

Top health concerns:

1. Longevity (31%)

2. Joint health or mobility (19%)

3. Digestion or gut health (18%)

Weight management was also a top concern for those with medium, large, and extra-large dogs.

When we zoom in on top concerns relative to age, we see that Gen Z is concerned about skin and coat health, while baby boomers expressed higher concerns about weight management. Weight management also appeared as a top concern for those with medium, large, and extra-large dogs.

Graph of what dog owners are worried about most. 26% Of dog owners worried about their dogs being considered “overweight” or “obese” in the next year. 31% Of small dog owners are worried about their dogs becoming overweight. 59% Of dog owners are conscious about overfeeding when preparing meals for their dogs.
Icon of a dog on a scale with a reading saying Healthy weight.

Did you know dogs who maintain a healthy weight can live up to 2.5 years longer?

Measuring tape around a dog.

Icon of a green dog paw.

Although many pup parents are concerned about their dogs’ weight, they can’t always identify the signs of a healthy dog.

60% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight

3 in 5 owners believe their dog is an ideal weight with a healthy body condition.

More than half of dog owners surveyed agree that weight greatly impacts their pup’s overall health and happiness, but it can be a difficult topic to tackle. We discovered many pup parents are sensitive to other people commenting on their dog’s weight, and this sentiment is especially prevalent among Gen Z and millennials.

Dog looking up at a girl holding up a treat.

Icon of dog treats.

Did you know?

Only 10% of your dog’s diet should be made up of treats.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for breaking a treat in half, you can rest easy knowing the actual amount of treats your dog should be getting is much lower than people think. If ten percent seems a little too low, don’t worry. Our survey found that the average answer was 37 percent, so you’re definitely not alone. In fact, more than a quarter of pup parents surveyed believe that treats should make up at least half of their dog’s daily food intake. On average, people with smaller dogs were more likely to believe that treats should make up a larger portion of their dog’s diet.

70% of pup parents weren’t aware that being able to easily feel their dog’s ribs is an indicator of healthy weight. Additionally, roughly 80% didn’t know you should also be able to feel your dog’s spine and hip bones.

Owner petting his dog that's eating food from a bowl on the kitchen floor.

Icon of a thumbs up.

A healthy dog is a happy dog

9 in 10 pup parents say their dog’s happiness and mental well-being is part of their health.

What's the most important factor in your dog’s well-being?

  • Ensuring they’re happy (54%)

  • Ensuring they’re safe from harm (51%)

Behaviors associated with a happy dog:

  • Body language (tail-wagging, jumping, etc.) (46%)

  • Being excited to greet their owner (29%)

  • Being open to giving and receiving affection (26%)

If you could only show love to your dog in one way, you would…

  • Pet them and give them affection (36%)

  • Play with them (10%)

  • Show them love through the food they give them (8%)

SO, WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

Pup parents want to do what’s best for their dogs, but when it comes to diet and weight, they aren't always equipped with the right information

While weight can be a sensitive subject, it also remains a top concern with serious impacts on a dog’s health. By identifying prevalent attitudes and stressors, we can help reduce friction in the wellness journey and help pup parents provide happier, healthier lives for their dogs. As a pup parent, you may not be an expert on dog health and wellness, but you do have access to expert advice.
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Stay on top of your pup’s health with
Ollie’s free Weight Screening

Our team of experts is here to help your dog reach and maintain a healthy weight for a longer, more comfortable life.