2018 International Position Statement
Global Pet Obesity Initiative: Overview and Resources
A practical overview of the initiative’s three recommendations, with current tools that support consistent assessment, communication, research, and clinical care.
The Global Pet Obesity Initiative Position Statement was issued by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention in 2018. This World Pet Obesity page provides an overview of the initiative and links to current educational and clinical resources. It does not revise or replace the original position statement.
Official publication
Global Pet Obesity Initiative Position Statement
- Authors
- Recommended citation
- Ward E, German AJ, Churchill JA. Global Pet Obesity Initiative Position Statement. Association for Pet Obesity Prevention; 2018.
- DOI
- Registration pending
What the 2018 statement called for
Three shared standards for companion animal obesity
The statement calls for a consistent definition, a universal whole-integer 1–9 Body Condition Score, and formal recognition of canine and feline obesity as a disease.
Define obesity consistently
Use a uniform definition of canine and feline obesity to reduce confusion and support clearer clinical communication.
Use a whole-integer 1–9 BCS
Use one standard Body Condition Score across clinical practice, education, and research to improve consistency.
Recognize obesity as a disease
Treat canine and feline obesity as a disease that warrants prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring.
Read the complete position statement, supporting evidence, and references on the official APOP publication page.
Putting the Initiative into Practice
Current tools, data, and programs
World Pet Obesity provides current tools, educational resources, and research programs that support implementation of the initiative’s three recommendations. These resources are separate from, and do not modify, the 2018 position statement.
Clinical tools
Multilingual BCS Charts
Use dog and cat Body Condition Score charts designed to support clearer communication across languages.
View chartsCalculators
Calorie & BCS Calculators
Estimate daily energy needs and support practical body-condition assessment.
Open calculators2026 study
APOP Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey
Learn how veterinary clinics can contribute standardized Body Condition Score data.
Visit APOPReport
2022 U.S. State of Pet Obesity
Review prevalence findings and key observations from the 2022 U.S. report.
Read the reportGlobal support
Supporting organizations
Veterinary professional and animal-welfare organizations worldwide confirmed support for the 2018 position statement. The authoritative list is maintained with the publication of record on the APOP website.
View Supporting OrganizationsParticipate
Support the initiative
Not-for-profit veterinary organizations, professional associations, and animal-welfare organizations interested in supporting the initiative can contact World Pet Obesity.
Contact World Pet ObesityAbout this page
This page is maintained by World Pet Obesity as an educational overview and implementation resource. It does not revise or replace the 2018 Global Pet Obesity Initiative Position Statement. The authoritative publication of record is hosted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.
About the Global Pet Obesity Initiative
The Global Pet Obesity Initiative supports a more consistent, science-based approach to companion animal obesity across countries, languages, and veterinary settings. WPOA works to advance shared definitions, standardized body condition and muscle condition scoring, multilingual educational resources, and recognition of obesity as a chronic clinical disease in dogs and cats. The initiative helps veterinary teams, researchers, educators, and animal health organizations improve assessment, communication, documentation, and long-term obesity care worldwide.