Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Obesity Management and Prevention

Obesity in dogs reduces quality of life through joint pain, reduced activity tolerance and shortened lifespan, with prevention being far easier than treatment.

Key Facts

An estimated 25-40% of dogs in the UK are overweight or obese
Obesity causes or worsens arthritis, respiratory disease, diabetes and reduced lifespan
Body condition scoring by vets provides an objective assessment of weight status
Neutered dogs require approximately 25% fewer calories than intact counterparts
Treats represent a major source of excess calories in many dog diets

Welfare Considerations

Canine obesity causes chronic welfare harm through pain, reduced exercise capacity and shortened lifespan. Owners frequently underestimate their dog's weight status due to normalisation of overweight appearances. Prevention through appropriate portion control and regular weighing is far more effective than weight loss treatment.

What You Can Do

Learn to body condition score your dog and weigh them monthly
Count treat calories as part of your dog's daily allowance
Seek veterinary guidance if your dog is overweight and establish a calorie-controlled diet plan