Canine obesity affects over 50% of dogs in many countries and is associated with reduced lifespan, increased pain, and decreased quality of life that are all preventable.
Obesity causes chronic welfare harm through joint pain, exercise intolerance, breathing difficulty, and heat stress that reduce both the quantity and quality of a dog's life. Obese dogs often cannot run and play comfortably, cannot groom themselves properly, and experience pain with normal movement. Weight management is not about aesthetics - it is a direct welfare intervention that extends comfortable, active life.