Obesity is the most common preventable welfare problem in companion animals, causing chronic pain, reduced lifespan, and significantly impaired quality of life.
Companion animal obesity represents widespread, preventable suffering that is often inadvertently caused by well-meaning owners. The welfare impacts are serious and chronic - obese animals suffer from painful joints, reduced exercise tolerance, breathing difficulties, and metabolic disease. The problem is compounded by the emotional association between food and affection, making restriction feel like deprivation to owners. Veterinary guidance on body condition scoring, appropriate caloric intake, and safe weight loss protocols is essential. Environmental enrichment and play can substitute for food treats while maintaining the human-animal bond.