Companion Animal Obesity: An Epidemic of Kindness

Overfeeding is the leading nutritional welfare problem in companion animals — obesity causes chronic pain, reduces mobility and shortens lives in millions of pets.

Key Facts

An estimated 56% of US dogs and 60% of cats are overweight or obese according to APOP
Obese dogs develop osteoarthritis, diabetes, breathing problems and cancer at higher rates
Cats with obesity face a significantly elevated risk of hepatic lipidosis, diabetes and urinary tract disease
Body condition scoring by owners is notoriously inaccurate — owners consistently underestimate their pet's weight
Each 10% reduction in body weight in obese dogs produces measurable improvements in mobility scores

Welfare Considerations

Pet obesity is almost entirely a husbandry problem — animals cannot control their own food intake. When owners provide excess calories and insufficient exercise, they cause suffering they rarely recognise as such. Obese pets show reduced play behaviour, difficulty breathing, and mobility limitations that affect every dimension of daily life. Veterinary reluctance to address obesity with owners — for fear of upsetting client relationships — is a documented barrier to treatment. Reframing excess feeding as an act of harm rather than love is the central communication challenge.

What You Can Do

Ask your vet to body condition score your pet at every visit and act on the findings
Measure pet food portions accurately — free-feeding is the leading cause of pet obesity
Replace calorie-dense treats with play-based rewards and appropriate low-calorie alternatives
Support veterinary practices that use compassionate, evidence-based communication about pet obesity
Advocate for WSAVA body condition scoring to be a standard of practice at all pet health checks