The use of smartphone-connected wearables, like a PetPace health monitoring smart collar, can help pets shed extra pounds
BURLINGTON, Mass. – A recent study conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) found a record proportion of pets in the United States are now categorized as overweight or obese. The survey reports that nearly 54 percent of dogs and 59 percent of cats fall into these categories, translating to an estimated 41.9 million dogs and 50.5 million cats that are carrying excess weight. Those figures raise serious concerns for pet owners and veterinary professionals alike, given the well-documented health risks associated with excess body fat in companion animals.
The study, which began in October 2016, included assessments of 1,224 dogs and 682 cats performed by 187 veterinary clinics across the U.S. Veterinary evaluations and body condition scoring revealed that many pets weigh more than recommended for their size and breed. Carrying extra weight can reduce a pet’s quality of life and shorten its lifespan. Overweight dogs and cats face a higher likelihood of developing conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, certain cancers, and liver disease, along with reduced mobility and endurance.
As pet obesity becomes more prevalent, many owners are looking for practical, effective ways to help their animals slim down and regain healthy activity levels. PetPace offers a tool designed to help with that effort: the PetPace smart collar. By providing continuous, remote monitoring of key health indicators and daily activity, a smart collar can supply the objective data owners and veterinarians need to create and track a weight-loss plan tailored to each pet.
PetPace’s sensor-rich smart collars record and transmit a variety of vital signs and activity metrics directly to a smartphone. Trackable measurements include body temperature, pulse, respiration rate, heart rate variability (HRV), activity levels, body position, and estimated calories burned. The collar also enables users to set and monitor activity and calorie goals while keeping an eye on changing health metrics. When abnormal readings occur or goals are missed, the system can send immediate alerts to the caregiver’s smartphone so potential problems are noticed and addressed promptly.
Continuous monitoring offers several advantages for teams of owners and veterinarians working to reduce pet obesity. Rather than relying on sporadic clinic visits or subjective observations, caregivers can use objective, day-to-day data to evaluate progress, adjust feeding and exercise plans, and detect early signs of medical issues that could affect weight or mobility. In clinical practice, this information helps veterinarians recommend personalized diet and activity programs, track responses to treatment, and catch secondary conditions such as joint inflammation or metabolic changes that require attention.
Dr. Asaf Dagan, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Canine and Feline practice) and PetPace’s chief veterinarian, emphasizes the importance of consulting a vet when addressing a pet’s weight: “We recommend that pet owners speak with their veterinarian to assess their pet’s weight and, when appropriate, follow a customized plan to lose excess fat.” A recent survey reported that four out of five independent veterinarians recommend a health-monitoring collar like PetPace, reflecting growing acceptance of wearable technology in preventive care and chronic condition management in veterinary medicine.
Wearable health-monitoring devices allow owners to identify issues early, monitor chronic conditions, and gain a clearer picture of daily habits that influence weight, such as activity patterns and caloric expenditure. For many pets, increasing regular activity through play, walks, and structured exercise—combined with portion control and dietary adjustments recommended by a veterinarian—can lead to meaningful weight loss and improved overall wellbeing.
About PetPace
PetPace develops connected technology designed to provide peace of mind for pet owners and better clinical insights for veterinarians. The PetPace smart IoT collar continuously monitors the wellbeing of elderly, sick, healthy, and at-risk dogs and cats, alerting caregivers remotely and immediately when changes in key health parameters are detected. Whether at home or in a clinic setting, PetPace uses non-intrusive onboard sensors and cloud-based analytics to help keep pets healthier and happier. Founded in 2012 and privately held, PetPace is headquartered in Israel, with a U.S. office in Burlington, MA, and a global sales presence. For media inquiries or to request an interview with a PetPace representative, contact the company’s public relations team by phone at 813.279.8335 or by email at [email protected].