Pet obesity has reached epidemic proportions in many countries, causing chronic pain, reduced mobility, and shorter lives. Addressing this preventable welfare crisis requires honest conversations between vets and owners.
Pet obesity is a welfare crisis that is almost entirely under human control. Obese animals move less, play less, groom less effectively, and experience chronic pain from the joint stress of carrying excess weight. Dogs with arthritis from obesity may wince on rising, avoid stairs, and resist exercise they previously enjoyed. Cats with diabetes require daily insulin injections and face serious health crises. These are not inevitable consequences of aging - they are preventable welfare harms caused by overfeeding and insufficient exercise. The emotional drivers of overfeeding (expressing love through food) are understandable but require reframing when they cause harm to the animals we love.