Canine obesity is now estimated to affect over 50% of dogs in many countries and causes significant welfare harm through joint pain, reduced mobility, and shortened lifespan.
Dog obesity is unusual among animal welfare issues in that the cause is almost entirely owner behaviour rather than institutional or industry decisions. An obese dog is being harmed by the person who loves it — through overfeeding, excessive treats, and insufficient exercise — often because the owner equates food provision with care and affection. The welfare consequences are real and cumulative: arthritic joints made worse by every kilogram of excess weight, cardiorespiratory systems strained by the metabolic demands of obesity, and a shortened lifespan cutting years from a relationship that owners themselves value. Vets have a critical role in providing non-judgmental weight management guidance; obesity is a treatable welfare condition, not an inevitable consequence of having a food-loving dog.