An estimated 40-60% of pet dogs in developed countries are overweight, causing chronic health problems that significantly reduce quality of life.
Obese dogs experience chronic pain from joints carrying excess weight, reduced exercise tolerance, increased surgical risk, and earlier onset of age-related diseases. The problem is primarily caused by overfeeding and insufficient exercise, often driven by owners interpreting food-begging as hunger. Many owners experience emotional difficulty restricting food despite understanding the welfare consequences. Veterinary guidance using body condition scoring provides an objective basis for weight management conversations.