In the Literature
Partington AJ, Sutherland KA, Clow KM, Abood SK, Coe JB. Implicit weight bias exists among veterinary professionals. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2025:1-9. doi:10.2460/javma.25.02.0073
The Research …
Obesity is common in humans and animals. Weight stigma refers to negative societal stereotypes and prejudices due to weight. Weight stigma by association is stigmatization of an individual based on their relationship to someone who is overweight (eg, negative perception of a parent with an obese child).1 Weight biases may be implicit, meaning individuals are unaware of these negative attitudes.
This study used a survey in Canada to characterize implicit weight bias and weight stigma by association among veterinary professionals. Participants (n =138) were predominantly female registered veterinary technicians and were randomly assigned to 1 of 8 vignettes about a dog (n = 4) or cat (n = 4) presented for an annual wellness examination. The patient’s food and exercise regimen were provided, along with a silhouette depicting the patient, as well as 2 pet owners with body types varying from lean to overweight.
Participants were asked for their perceptions of the owners’ effectiveness and responsibility as caretakers, whether they anticipated the owners would follow recommendations for patient weight management, whether they would discuss the patient’s weight with the owner, and to provide a BCS for the patient. The Implicit Association Test for human weight was given to measure the strength of association between body weight and judgment as good or bad.
Participants rated owners of overweight dogs as significantly less effective caretakers than owners of lean dogs, but owners of overweight cats were rated as significantly more caring than owners of lean cats, suggesting interspecies differences in perception. More than 90% of participants held some level of unconscious bias toward lean individuals, but owner weight alone did not significantly impact perceptions of the owner–patient dyad. Results of this study are therefore unclear on how implicit weight biases might impact discussions of patient weight management with owners.
… The Takeaways
Key pearls to put into practice:
The number of overweight dogs and cats is steadily increasing. Proactive monitoring and recording of weight and BCS at every clinic visit are recommended to address weight gain early.2
Prevention is better than cure. Breed, comorbidities, and/or lifestyle can increase risk for becoming overweight. Proactive management of patients with clear risk factors can help prevent weight gain.3
An owner may not always understand why an obese pet needs to lose weight, or the owner may not be ready to alter their behavior.4 Some owners may have already tried and failed to help their pet lose weight. Discussion with the owner should begin with understanding whether the owner is aware the pet is overweight and whether steps have been taken previously to help the pet lose weight. An explanation of how being overweight or obese impacts the pet specifically may be valuable in contextualizing the problem. The explanation should focus on benefits of weight loss for any pre-existing health conditions, rather than on a target weight, and consideration of an initial 12-week weight loss trial to garner compliance.3
During any conversation about weight, owners should be given a clear assessment of the patient’s weight and BCS, as well as specific recommendations for weight management, ideally in writing.4,5 A follow-up call after a few days to answer any questions is likely to improve success.
Talking About Weight Loss
Weight loss conversations can be uncomfortable, but weight loss can be essential for good health. Try these tips for productive discussions about body weight.
Ask the client for permission to discuss weight. The conversation should feel like a collaboration, not an accusation.
Avoid judgmental or cutesy language. Rather than using terms like chonky or phrases like They've been receiving too much food or treats, focus on the issue at hand, which is that excess weight can be detrimental to health and you’d like to discuss ways to help the pet stay healthy.
Resist the temptation to equate a pet’s weight challenges with human ones. Any human who has dieted knows weight loss can be frustrating and difficult. Focus on the pet and your sincere desire to work with the client as a team to keep their pet healthy.
Create a weight-inclusive environment so clients have no reason to feel self-conscious. Make sure chairs can accommodate a range of body sizes (eg, sturdy chairs without armrests) and that posters and other materials in the hospital and examination room avoid judgmental language about weight.
You are reading 2-Minute Takeaways, a research summary resource presented by Clinician’s Brief. Clinician’s Brief does not conduct primary research.