Pet obesity affects millions of dogs and cats globally and significantly reduces quality of life. Understanding causes, consequences, and treatment helps owners protect their companion animal welfare.
Pet obesity is among the most common preventable welfare problems in companion animals. Obese pets experience chronic pain, reduced mobility, and shorter lives as a direct result of overfeeding, often combined with insufficient exercise. The disconnect between owner perception of normal weight and actual healthy body condition is a major barrier to addressing this problem. Veterinarians play a key role in weight management conversations, but owner education and commitment are ultimately the determining factors.