Obesity is the most common preventable welfare problem in companion dogs, significantly shortening lifespan and causing chronic pain. Prevention through appropriate feeding and exercise is far better than treatment.
Dog obesity is uniquely a human-created welfare problem — dogs cannot open their own food containers or decline treats. Every overweight dog has an owner whose choices produced that outcome, however well-intentioned. The welfare consequences are real and serious: fat pads compress airways causing respiratory distress, excess weight accelerates joint degeneration causing chronic pain, metabolic dysfunction raises cancer and diabetes risk, and heat tolerance is significantly reduced. These are not cosmetic concerns but daily welfare reductions compounding over years. Prevention requires accurate portioning of food (measuring not estimating), treating treats as part of daily caloric allowance not additions to it, and providing consistent exercise. Many owners dramatically underestimate their dog's weight status — veterinary body condition scoring at every visit provides objective assessment. Weight loss in overweight dogs is achievable but requires owner commitment; the mobility improvements and extended healthy lifespan that result are among the most impactful welfare gains available without any medical intervention.