Obesity is the most common preventable health problem in companion animals, affecting an estimated 50% of dogs and cats. Understanding its welfare impacts and prevention is essential for responsible pet ownership.
Obesity in companion animals causes prolonged suffering that shortens life and reduces quality. Overweight animals move less freely, sleep more, tire quickly on walks, and develop painful joint disease. The tragic irony is that overfeeding - often motivated by affection - causes the suffering it intends to prevent. A slim, fit dog that plays enthusiastically and lives a long, active life is far better loved than an obese dog that struggles to get up from its bed. Body condition scoring - a simple five-point scale - is the most important welfare monitoring tool available to pet owners.