Pet obesity is a widespread welfare problem that shortens lifespan and reduces quality of life for millions of cats and dogs worldwide.
Pet obesity is a genuine welfare concern because it causes chronic pain and reduces the ability of animals to engage in natural behaviors. Overweight dogs struggle to walk, play, and thermoregulate. Overweight cats are less able to groom, play, and engage in normal feline behaviors. The welfare harm is compounded by the difficulty owners face in changing feeding behaviors when food has become a primary way of expressing love for their pets.