Pet obesity affects an estimated 50-60% of companion dogs and cats in developed countries, causing chronic pain, reduced mobility, and shortened lifespans. Understanding the drivers of pet obesity is essential for welfare improvement.
Companion animal obesity is a welfare crisis that is simultaneously very visible and widely normalized. The welfare consequences of obesity are not cosmetic — chronic pain from arthritis exacerbated by excess weight, metabolic disease, breathing difficulties, and reduced capacity for play and movement all represent genuine suffering. Yet owner perception of animal body condition is systematically skewed toward accepting heavier animals as normal. This reflects both the increasing normalization of overweight body condition in human society and the emotional associations between food provision and love and care. Veterinary communication about obesity remains challenging: many owners respond defensively to weight conversations. More effective approaches center on mobility, pain reduction, and quality of life rather than aesthetics.