Obesity affects over half of companion dogs and cats in developed countries. Chronic overweight causes pain, reduces lifespan, and significantly diminishes quality of life for affected animals.
Obesity causes chronic, often invisible suffering. Overweight animals may experience pain during movement that reduces their willingness to exercise, creating a vicious cycle. Many owners conflate food with love, making dietary changes emotionally difficult. Veterinary guidance that frames weight management as a welfare investment rather than an aesthetic concern improves compliance and animal outcomes.