Feline obesity affects over a third of adult cats in developed countries and causes significant welfare problems including diabetes, arthritis, and shortened lifespan.
Feline obesity is a welfare problem that develops gradually and is often normalized by guardians until serious health consequences emerge. The welfare impacts of obesity — chronic joint pain, metabolic disease, and reduced ability to groom and move normally — significantly reduce quality of life. Prevention is far easier than treatment: measured feeding from kittenhood, avoiding ad libitum dry food access, and providing activity enrichment are the most effective interventions. Guardians who regularly body-condition score their cats and adjust feeding accordingly prevent obesity from establishing in the first place.