Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Health warning about rising obese pet trend on TikTok
The term 'chonky' is a commonly used term on social media which implies that overweight dogs are cute and funny.

Videos of 'chubby' dogs receive millions of views

Research by the homemade dog food platform VetChef has revealed that videos celebrating overweight dogs have been viewed more than 90 million times on the social media platform TikTok.

The study also highlighted how this trend of glorifying overweight pets was prevalent across all major social media platforms. It found that there are one million members or followers of groups centred around overweight dogs on Facebook, Instagram and Reddit alone.

On TikTok the hashtag #fatdog has 72.3 million views, while #chubbyboy has 10 million and #fatdogs has 4.4 million.

The breeds that feature most prominently as part of this trend are pitbulls, French bull dogs, pugs, terriers and beagles. Many of the commonly featured breeds already have hereditary health problems which are likely to be exacerbated by being overweight.

VetChef founder Dr Joe Inglis, who is also well-known for his appearances on Blue Peter, The Wright Stuff and Daybreak, comments: “While it is always a delight to see the joy pets bring, it is worrying that the trend of normalising and glorifying pets that are actually clinically overweight is on the rise.

“The scale of content celebrating overweight dogs on social media is simply breathtaking - with clips hailing so-called ‘chonky’ canines viewed over 90million times on TikTok.

“The unfortunate reality is that overweight pets are likely to have a lower quality of life, as they are more likely to develop serious health conditions such as diabetes, osteoarthritis and cancer.”

Dr Inglis urged pet owners to be responsible in monitoring and managing their dog's weight; feeding them a healthy diet and ensuring they receive adequate daily exercise.

“We’re now calling on all pet owners to avoid celebrating their overweight animals - and instead celebrate them looking fit and healthy.” He concluded.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.