Obesity is the most common preventable welfare problem in pet cats; it causes joint pain, diabetes, reduced quality of life, and shortened lifespan, yet is largely normalised by owners and even veterinarians.
Cat obesity represents a welfare challenge caused by a mismatch between evolved predator physiology and indoor sedentary lifestyles with ad libitum high-calorie food. Many owners do not recognise overweight body condition as a health problem, partly because social norms around well-fed pets obscure the welfare harm. Veterinarians have a key role in normalising healthy body condition assessment and providing weight management support.