Stressed and overweight dog owners feel their lifestyle also impacts their dogs, according to a new Novus survey commissioned by Arken Zoo’s veterinary services. The effect is especially noticeable among younger owners, who report that their own health issues spill over onto their pets.
The survey, conducted between March and April 2025, gathered responses from 1,046 Swedish pet owners aged 18 to 84 about their own and their dog’s well-being. The results reveal a strong link between owner lifestyle and pet health.
Half of pet owners consider themselves overweight, with two in ten not exercising at all. A quarter of dog owners say they walk their dog for an hour a day at most, while 18% say their dog is overweight. Veterinarian Per Bransell says the results are “alarming”, but not surprising.
– Today, many people get an animal to fit into the owner’s lifestyle instead of the owner adapting to the animal. Getting a pet is a commitment every day, not just on weekends and holidays, he said in a press release.
Young adults struggle – so do their dogs
Among pet owners aged 18 to 34, 31% say they walk their dogs no more than an hour a day, and 23% report their pets are overweight.
Young owners also experience higher levels of stress: 42% see themselves as stressed, and 24% believe that stress affects their dogs. Staff at Hundstallet, a dog shelter that rehomes animals, say the survey aligns with what they see every day.
– People are increasingly unwell, and it has a direct impact on animals. We see a clear rise in dogs arriving in both poor physical and mental condition — often depressed, lacking proper veterinary care or stimulation, says Johnny Kroneld, Head of Communications & Fundraising at Hundstallet.
