Canine obesity is one of the most prevalent preventable welfare problems in companion animals, associated with joint pain, reduced lifespan, and diminished quality of life.
Obesity causes chronic discomfort that dogs cannot communicate directly. Arthritic joints, labored breathing, and heat intolerance limit activities that previously brought joy — walks, play, and exploration. Many owners express love through food, inadvertently reducing their dog's quality of life. The welfare impact is insidious because it develops gradually, and dogs often maintain outward enthusiasm that masks their physical limitations until impairment is severe.