Obesity is the most common preventable disease in companion animals, causing pain, reduced mobility, and shortened lifespan. It is almost entirely caused by human feeding behavior.
Pet obesity is a welfare crisis that is almost entirely attributable to human behavior — overfeeding, excessive treat use, and insufficient exercise. Yet it is a topic that veterinary professionals often find difficult to raise with clients because of the emotional sensitivity around food and the perceived judgment involved. Obese animals live with chronic discomfort, reduced quality of life, and shortened lifespan. Learning to body-condition score your pet and acting on that assessment — including implementing a vet-directed weight loss program — is one of the highest-impact welfare actions available to any pet owner.