03/09/2026
Why should we care if our pets are overweight?
Because obesity is not just about appearance — it is a serious health and welfare issue that can shorten lives, reduce mobility and dramatically affect quality of life.
Veterinary professionals are becoming increasingly concerned about the growing number of overweight and obese pets. Yet there is often a major disconnect between how vets and owners perceive body condition:
• It is estimated that around 50% of dogs and 43% of cats they see are overweight (although ask any veterinary professional and they will likely say it is much more)
• Yet only 4% of owners believe their own pet needs to lose weight
• Meanwhile, 77% of owners believe their pet is the “right” size and weight
That discrepancy matters.
Excess fat is not simply stored energy or “a bit of extra padding.” Fat tissue is biologically active and functions as an endocrine organ, releasing hormones and inflammatory chemicals known as adipokines. Research has shown that obesity is associated with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress throughout the body.
These changes can contribute to the development of serious diseases including:
• Osteoarthritis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Reduced mobility
• Poorer quality of life
• Reduced lifespan
The encouraging news is that many of these effects can be improved — and sometimes even reversed — through healthy weight loss.
One long-term study on canine obesity followed 48 Labrador Retrievers over 14 years. One group of dogs was maintained in a lean body condition throughout life, while their siblings were fed more freely. The findings were striking. Dogs kept lean:
• Lived an average of 1.8 years longer
• Developed chronic diseases later in life, giving them more 'health span'
• Had significantly lower rates and severity of hip dysplasia
• Developed osteoarthritis far less frequently
• Maintained better insulin sensitivity and immune function as they aged
By 8 years of age, 77% of the control-fed dogs had osteoarthritis affecting two or more joints — compared to just 10% of the lean-fed dogs.
Perhaps most powerfully of all: most people would do almost anything for another two healthy years with their dog. Maintaining a healthy body condition may help provide exactly that opportunity.
If you are unsure whether your pet is overweight, ask your veterinary team for an honest and objective body condition assessment. Weight gain often happens gradually, meaning many owners simply stop noticing it over time.
Read more about obesity, how it develops, the health consequences and how weight management diets can help: https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/weight-management-in-dogs-and-cats
and have a look here to see what you think
https://www.purinainstitute.com/centresquare/nutritional-and-clinical-assessment-tools/how-to-perform-a-body-condition-assessment-cat?
https://www.purinainstitute.com/centresquare/nutritional-and-clinical-assessment-tools/how-to-perform-a-body-condition-assessment-dog
