Companion Animal Welfare: Obesity and Weight Management

Pet obesity is one of the most prevalent welfare problems in companion animals. Understanding causes and treatments helps owners improve their pet's quality of life.

Key Facts

An estimated 51% of UK dogs and 44% of UK cats are overweight or obese (PDSA Paw Report)
Obesity in pets causes arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, respiratory problems, and shortened lifespan
Neutering increases obesity risk if diet is not adjusted post-operatively
Many owners misidentify overweight pets as being at a healthy weight - body condition scoring training helps
Veterinary weight management programmes achieve better outcomes than owner-led weight loss alone
Overfeeding with treats is the most common cause of pet obesity in the UK

Welfare Considerations

Pet obesity is a welfare crisis hiding in plain sight. Unlike most welfare problems, obesity is caused by excess care rather than neglect - owners who overfeed pets believe they are showing love. The welfare consequences are serious: obese dogs experience joint pain, breathing difficulties, reduced exercise tolerance, and a significantly shorter lifespan. The intervention is straightforward but requires owner motivation: precise portioning using a measuring cup, elimination of high-calorie treats, regular weigh-ins, and veterinary guidance. Veterinary practices that proactively discuss weight at every consultation, combined with pet insurance that covers dietary consultations, provide the best framework for population-level improvement.

What You Can Do

Learn to body-condition score your pet - ask your vet to demonstrate the technique
Measure food portions precisely rather than estimating - even small over-feeding accumulates rapidly
Substitute high-calorie treats with low-calorie alternatives (carrot, cucumber for dogs; small pieces of meat for cats)
Ask your vet for a weight management plan if your pet is overweight
Support PDSA and Blue Cross obesity awareness campaigns for companion animals