Obesity affects over half of companion dogs and cats in some countries and is associated with significant welfare harm including chronic pain, reduced mobility, and shortened lifespan.
Companion animal obesity is both common and genuinely harmful, yet it remains undertreated because owners often perceive overweight pets as healthy or even adorable. The welfare reality is different: obese pets experience reduced ability to engage in normal activities, worsened arthritis pain, heat intolerance, respiratory compromise, and significantly shortened lives. An obese cat that cannot groom its hindquarters properly due to body size experiences ongoing discomfort and hygiene problems. Obese dogs that pant heavily on short walks are experiencing cardiorespiratory stress. The welfare harm of obesity is chronic, daily, and cumulative. Owner education and veterinary engagement are both essential - obesity often requires explicit veterinary conversation because many owners resist the message that their pet is overweight.