Royal Canin Renews Partnership with University of Tennessee Veterinary Obesity Center

The significant investment reinforces the pet nutrition brand's commitment to addressing pet obesity through precise nutrition and education.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:04pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Royal Canin, a global leader in pet health nutrition and one of the billion-dollar brands of Mars, Incorporated, has renewed a multi-year agreement with the University of Tennessee Veterinary Obesity Center (UTVOC), uniting under a shared commitment to address feline and canine obesity. The UTVOC, established in collaboration with Royal Canin in 2020, is committed to improving the health and quality of life for cats and dogs through clinical research and professional education focused on obesity prevention and treatment.

Why it matters

Pet obesity is a growing issue, with one in every two dogs being overweight. Overweight dogs may live up to 2.5 years less than dogs with an ideal body weight. Through this partnership, Royal Canin and UTVOC aim to provide precise nutrition for overweight animals and educate both pet owners and veterinarians to combat the pet obesity epidemic.

The details

The UTVOC provides subsidized clinical management for obesity in client-owned pets, allowing animals to receive care at little to no cost. Outcomes from 75 cats and 100 dogs enrolled in the program demonstrated meaningful changes in body weight, with approximately two-thirds of participating animals experiencing a clinically significant reduction in body weight, defined as a loss of more than 10% of their starting weight.

  • The UTVOC was established in collaboration with Royal Canin in 2020.
  • The partnership between Royal Canin and UTVOC has been renewed for a multi-year agreement.

The players

Royal Canin

A global leader in pet health nutrition and one of the billion-dollar brands of Mars, Incorporated.

University of Tennessee Veterinary Obesity Center (UTVOC)

A center committed to improving the health and quality of life for cats and dogs through clinical research and professional education focused on obesity prevention and treatment.

Dr. Todd East

Director of veterinary affairs, Royal Canin North America.

Angela Rollins, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition)

A veterinarian at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Pet obesity is an epidemic in our pet population. We are proud to continue partnering with UTVOC to provide precise nutrition for overweight animals in need and to educate both pet owners and veterinarians. Together our goal is to make a meaningful impact to combat pet obesity.”

— Dr. Todd East, Director of veterinary affairs, Royal Canin North America (PR Newswire)

“The Veterinary Obesity Center and our partnership with Royal Canin has allowed me to explore new ideas about managing overweight pets. What we're learning in the clinic has strengthened the way I teach students and veterinary professionals and helped launch new research projects.”

— Angela Rollins, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition), Veterinarian, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (PR Newswire)

The takeaway

This partnership between Royal Canin and the University of Tennessee Veterinary Obesity Center demonstrates a commitment to addressing the growing issue of pet obesity through research, education, and providing accessible care for overweight animals. By working together, they aim to make a meaningful impact in improving the health and quality of life for cats and dogs.