The use of smartphone-connected wearables, like a PetPace health monitoring smart collar, can help pets shed extra pounds
BURLINGTON, Mass. – A recent study from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) reports a record number of U.S. pets are now classified as overweight or obese: nearly 54 percent of dogs and 59 percent of cats. These figures translate to approximately 41.9 million dogs and 50.5 million cats that are carrying excess weight, a trend that raises significant concerns for animal health and welfare.
The APOP study, which began in October 2016, assessed 1,224 dogs and 682 cats across 187 veterinary clinics in the United States. The findings underscore how widespread pet obesity has become and highlight the importance of early detection and sustained weight-management strategies. Carrying extra weight places pets at higher risk for chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, certain cancers and liver disease, and it can reduce quality of life and longevity.
As pet obesity grows more common, many owners are looking for effective, practical tools to help their animals reach and maintain a healthy weight. PetPace offers a wearable, sensor-rich smart collar that integrates with a smartphone app to provide continuous, non-invasive monitoring of a pet’s vital signs and activity. “With PetPace, we’ve created a device that gives pet owners the information they need to improve their pet’s quality of life,” said Dr. Asaf Dagan, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Canine and Feline Practice), and PetPace’s chief veterinarian. “When using a PetPace smart collar, pet owners can check their pets’ activity levels, calories burned, heart rate variability (HRV) and a range of other vital signs right from their smartphone.”
PetPace collars track multiple health indicators that are useful when managing weight and overall wellbeing. Among the monitored metrics are temperature, pulse, respiration rate, heart rate variability, activity levels, body positions and estimated calories burned. The system can help owners set and track activity and calorie goals, observe daily habits, and receive immediate alerts if certain vital signs deviate from expected ranges. This continuous stream of data helps pet owners and veterinarians identify early warning signs of health issues, evaluate the effectiveness of weight-loss plans, and adjust care based on objective measurements.
Veterinary professionals are increasingly recognizing the value of wearable monitoring technology. A recent survey found that four out of five independent veterinarians recommend a health-monitoring collar like PetPace to clients. These devices are particularly valuable for detecting subtle changes in behavior or physiology that may otherwise go unnoticed, allowing for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
Pet owners should remember that wearable technology is a tool to support, not replace, professional veterinary guidance. PetPace and similar devices can provide detailed, objective data, but an individualized plan developed with a veterinarian is essential for safe and effective weight loss. Dagan emphasizes the importance of consulting a veterinarian to assess a pet’s weight and, when appropriate, create a customized plan that may include diet changes, portion control, increased activity, and regular monitoring.
In practice, combining veterinarian-directed weight management with continuous monitoring helps owners see concrete progress and stay motivated. The collar’s activity tracking and calorie estimates make it easier to set realistic daily targets, while alerts and trend reports allow owners and clinicians to spot plateaus or setbacks early. For pets with chronic conditions, the collar can also assist in managing existing medical issues by providing ongoing physiological context that informs treatment decisions.
About PetPace
PetPace develops wearable health-monitoring technology designed to give pet owners peace of mind and to support better clinical care. The PetPace smart collar continuously monitors the wellbeing of elderly, sick, healthy and at-risk dogs and cats, alerting caregivers to changes in key health parameters. Using non-intrusive onboard sensors and cloud-based analytics, PetPace delivers actionable data for use at home or in the clinic. Founded in 2012 and privately held, PetPace is headquartered in Israel with a U.S. office in Burlington, MA, and maintains a global sales presence. For media inquiries or to request an interview with a PetPace representative, please contact their public relations firm or the company directly.