Pet obesity has become one of the most common preventable welfare problems in companion animals, causing pain, reduced mobility, and shortened lifespans that owners often fail to recognise.
Pet obesity is a welfare problem hiding in plain sight. Overweight animals experience chronic pain from joint disease, respiratory difficulty, heat intolerance, and reduced ability to engage in natural behaviours. Despite this, many owners interpret a heavier pet as a healthy, well-fed one — a cultural norm that veterinary and advocacy organisations have struggled to shift. The reluctance of vets to raise weight concerns directly, combined with marketing of high-calorie treats as acts of love, creates a systemic problem. Clear body condition scoring education, frank veterinary communication, and reformulation of commercial pet foods offer pathways to improvement.