Dog obesity reduces quality and length of life significantly. Evidence-based weight management approaches improve welfare for the estimated 40-60% of overweight companion dogs.
Dog obesity is a pervasive but highly preventable welfare problem. The welfare harms are cumulative and significant — extra weight worsens joint pain, makes exercise difficult, increases heat intolerance, and shortens life. Obesity is almost always caused by overfeeding and insufficient exercise rather than medical conditions. Veterinarians often avoid direct conversations about weight to protect client relationships, missing opportunities for welfare improvement. Proactive body condition scoring at every visit, clear guidance about feeding amounts, and supportive weight loss programs — including scheduled weight checks — are the most effective welfare interventions for this extremely common problem.