Pfizer Animal Health has launched the Body Assessment Rating for Canines (www.stopcanineobesity.com), an online assessment tool designed to help dog owners determine if their dogs are overweight or obese, or are engaging in behaviors that contribute toward canine obesity.

The short quiz was spurred by two national surveys that Pfizer Animal Health conducted asking dog owners and veterinarians about their awareness of and opinions about canine obesity.

The studies found that only 17 percent of dog owners believe their dogs are overweight or obese. However, veterinarians indicate that on average about 47 percent of their canine patients would be classified as overweight or obese — a number that is consistent with national statistics, according to Pfizer Animal Health.

In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer Animal Health’s Slentrol (dirlotapide), which is indicated for the management of canine obesity.

For more information about canine obesity, click here.