Pet obesity affects over half of dogs and cats in developed countries and causes significant health problems and reduced quality of life.
Companion animal obesity is a welfare crisis that is largely invisible because overweight animals are perceived as comfortable and well-loved rather than suffering. However, the health consequences of obesity create significant daily welfare costs: arthritic joints made more painful by excessive weight, breathing difficulties in obese brachycephalic breeds, reduced mobility and play behavior, and the cumulative burden of metabolic disease. The emotional dynamic that drives overfeeding - food as love and treats as positive interaction - creates a cultural barrier to appropriate weight management. Veterinarians report difficulty raising weight concerns with owners without damaging the relationship. The welfare intervention required is often primarily a behavior change conversation with humans rather than a medical intervention for the animal.