Implicit weight bias exists among veterinary professionals

To explore implicit weight bias and weight stigma by association within a sample of veterinary professionals.

An electronic survey was administered in person to veterinary professionals. Participants were presented with 1 of 8 possible scenarios including silhouettes of pets (4 cats, 4 dogs) and clients with varying combinations of weight statuses. Participants were asked questions rating their perception of the clients' capacity as pet caregivers. Participants completed the validated Implicit Association Test for weight. Logistic regression was conducted to detect differences in veterinary professionals' perceptions of the pets and clients based on displayed weight status.

138 veterinary professionals participated; the majority (56.0%) were registered veterinary technicians. Most participants (70.3%) reported having pet-weight-related conversations with clients either daily or multiple times a week. Participants rated owners of overweight dogs as less effective caregivers than owners of lean dogs (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.77). Participants rated owners of overweight cats as more caring than owners of lean cats (OR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.02 to 8.16). The Implicit Association Test indicated that the majority (90.6%) of participants had some level of unconscious preference for people who were lean over people who were overweight.

Veterinary professionals' perceptions of dog and cat owners based on their pet's weight may differ across species. Findings potentially represent implicit weight bias among veterinary professionals that warrants further research.

When interacting with clients owning an overweight or obese pet, veterinary professionals should be aware that they may hold a weight bias.