Obesity affects approximately half of companion dogs and cats and is a leading cause of chronic pain, reduced mobility, and shortened lifespan.
Companion animal obesity represents a welfare crisis hidden in plain sight. Obese animals experience chronic pain from joint loading, difficulty breathing, and metabolic disease. Because owners often do not recognize obesity in their pets and associate food with love, the problem is difficult to address through individual advice alone. Changing cultural norms around pet feeding is essential.