Obesity affects over half of companion dogs in many countries, causing chronic pain, reduced mobility, and shortened lifespan — and is almost entirely preventable.
Canine obesity is a welfare emergency hidden in plain sight. Owners who feed their dogs generously from love frequently inflict chronic suffering through the metabolic consequences of excess body weight: joint pain, reduced exercise tolerance, heat sensitivity, and impaired respiratory function. The dog cannot advocate for appropriate portion control — this is entirely the owner's responsibility. Veterinary body condition scoring provides an objective framework for assessing weight, and most owners are genuinely surprised when their dog is graded overweight. The welfare intervention is simple in principle — caloric restriction and increased appropriate exercise — but requires consistent owner commitment and regular monitoring. Veterinary weight management clinics that provide structured support achieve significantly better outcomes than diet advice alone.