Obesity affects over half of all pet dogs and cats in many countries, causing pain, reduced lifespan, and impaired quality of life. Prevention through appropriate nutrition and exercise is far more effective than treatment.
Pet obesity represents one of the most prevalent and preventable welfare problems in companion animals, yet its significance is systematically underestimated. Excess weight causes chronic pain through joint load, reduces mobility and play behavior, impairs thermoregulation, and creates cardiovascular and metabolic burdens. For cats, obesity dramatically increases diabetes risk; for dogs, it accelerates osteoarthritis and reduces exercise tolerance. The behavioral welfare impacts are significant: obese pets are less active, engage in less play, and show reduced behavioral repertoire compared to lean counterparts. Prevention centers on three factors: appropriate portion feeding based on body weight and energy requirements, structured mealtimes rather than free-choice access, and regular physical activity matched to the individual animal capacity. Veterinary guidance is underutilized: many owners do not recognize overweight status in their own pets and do not receive consistent weight guidance during wellness visits. Body condition scoring education for owners is among the highest-impact preventive welfare interventions available.