Obesity is one of the most prevalent welfare problems in companion animals, particularly dogs and cats. Excess weight causes chronic pain, reduced mobility, and shortened lifespan — all entirely preventable with appropriate feeding.
Pet obesity causes chronic suffering that owners often fail to recognize because their animal cannot verbally report pain. Arthritic pain from excess weight causes reduced activity that owners sometimes interpret as aging rather than welfare-relevant suffering. Overweight cats often cannot groom themselves effectively, leading to matting, skin problems, and psychological distress from the inability to perform essential hygiene behavior. The cause is almost always owner behavior — excessive feeding, insufficient exercise, and calorie-dense foods. Veterinarians have a critical role in normalizing weight conversations and providing structured weight loss guidance. Weight reduction programs produce measurable improvements in animal welfare.