Pet obesity has reached epidemic proportions in developed countries, causing painful chronic conditions and shortened lifespans. Understanding causes and prevention is essential for good companion animal welfare.
Obese animals carry an ongoing burden of physical and metabolic ill-health. Arthritis is exacerbated by excess weight on joints — many obese pets are in chronic pain that owners attribute to ageing rather than to a treatable condition. Breathlessness from fat deposits around the chest limits activity. The physical consequences of obesity — lethargy, reduced capacity for play and movement, chronic pain — represent a significantly diminished quality of life. Pet obesity is driven by owner behaviour and is both preventable and treatable, making it one of the most addressable welfare problems in companion animal medicine.