Obesity affects over half of UK companion cats and dogs, causing chronic pain, reduced mobility and shortened lifespan, and is almost entirely preventable through owner behaviour change.
Obese companion animals experience daily pain from weight-bearing on joints, fatigue on minimal exertion and metabolic disease. Many cannot participate in normal activities including play and exploration. The condition represents chronic welfare compromise that is directly caused by owner behaviour. Yet obesity is consistently normalised by owners who associate feeding with love.