Veterinarians say pet owners need to take a more holistic approach to help their chonky fur babies lose weight.

A new study in the journal Animals has found solely reducing calories and increasing exercise doesn’t work in the long run.

Study author and veterinarian Anne Quain says sustainable weight loss requires frequent vet visits and lifestyle changes.

“There’s all these things that you have to do to assess weight and one of them is taking a really detailed dietary history, which is not just a quick 15-minute appointment,” Dr Quain says.

“Follow-ups are also important because it’s a chance for the veterinarian to point out what the client is doing right, where they can tweak things, and hopefully support them and keep them motivated.”

Dr Quain says pets need enrichment and more social interaction with their owners, to fulfil the void created by being fed less.

“This might involve actively playing with your cat for a certain period each day, taking your dog for an extra walk or making sure that you present food in ways that take your animal longer to eat,” she says.

But pet owners and animal-care organisations say these solutions are difficult to follow during the cost of living crisis.

For Nadia Heisler Walpole, spending money on vet consults and pet products is a challenge.

Ms Heisler Walpole is the owner of a 9kg cat called Moo-Ray.

“When we went to the vet, they suggested to use a food dispenser or something that would be only microchip-activated because we’ve got two cats,” she says.

“I started having a look at the prices and then I realised I don’t have money to spend on this.”

Time is also an issue.

“My partner and I have two very young kids, so we’re super busy with them, and we also have two cats and a dog,” she says.

“We don’t even have time to walk the dog sometimes, and if we were to work on Moo-Ray’s weight, it would involve a lot of monitoring, which we don’t have time to do because we both work or are with the kids.”

Ms Heisler Walpole wishes she had more time to spend with Moo-Ray.

“It makes me sad and I know when he is gone I will regret the time that I’m not spending with him, but right now I can’t,” she says.

“After I put my kids to bed, I just want to die on the sofa and then he comes to me and lies on top of me—even though it can be uncomfortable, I stay with him because I know that’s what he needs.”

Ms Heisler Walpole is not the only pet owner struggling to access pet health care.

A 2024 RSPCA WA survey found 57 per cent of respondents reported an increase in vet costs in the 12 months prior, while 14 per cent of owners reported taking their pet to the vet less often, and 10 per cent reported delaying treatment.

RSPCA WA’s public relations and education executive Louise Rowe says another cost barrier is healthy pet food alternatives.

“It’s no secret that the higher quality pet foods are more expensive, so if people are feeling financial pressure, they may be compromising on the quality of pet food just to ensure that their pets are fed,” she says.

Ms Rowe says more community support is needed to help low income owners.

“One of the things we’ve done is hold community action days, where we go to areas that generate a lot of calls to our cruelty hotline and we offer basic health checks, free pet food, and behaviour and training advice,” she says.

“They are extremely popular and we are seeing an increase in demand, so I think if there was a more coordinated public supported approach to programs like this, then it would make a world of difference.”

An RSPCA Australia spokesperson says it’s a national issue, with pet weight management taking a backseat in today’s economic climate, compared to more immediate concerns such as acute illness or emergency veterinary treatment.

“Obesity is a common and serious issue in Australian companion animals and failure to address excess weight can contribute to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and reduced quality of life,” the spokesperson says.

Study author Anne Quain acknowledges the financial pressure but says addressing weight issues early could prevent costlier treatments in the future.

She says vets should work with owners to help them monitor weight at home.

“People appreciate when vets know just how hard it is, and what owners need is understanding, not judgment,” Dr Quain says.

“We need to know the animal and the human’s lifestyle so that we can make the best and most tailored recommendations to set them up for success.”