Pet obesity is on the rise. Where are hoomans going wrong?

India Today

26-04-2025

The vet looked at Lolo, a five-year-old labrador with the softest eyes and a belly that now jiggled when he walked.'He's gained nearly 6 kilos,' she said gently. 'That's like a human putting on 20.'Lolo's pet parent, Tiana, squirmed. Between back-to-back Zoom calls, erratic meal times, and the guilt of not taking him on evening walks, she'd been making up for it with treats—extra biscuits here, leftover sausages there.advertisement
'But he looks so happy when I feed him,' she muttered, almost defensively.Does it sound like your story?When we bring a dog or a cat home, most of us do the math, figuring out what their needs will be like: constant care, morning and evening walks, meals on time, and, of course, regular grooming. While we may have the best intentions for our pets, there's one place where many of us might be going wrong: planning their meals.For a true pet parent, life often revolves around their furry friends—they try to do everything possible to keep them happy and healthy. But despite being careful about everything else, if their meals aren't tailored to their ideal portion size or lifestyle, dear parents, you might be doing more harm than good because this can lead to pet obesity.advertisementYes, you heard that right. Just like us, if we're not mindful of what our pets eat, they can gain weight to the point of becoming immobile. Food is a love language in India, but if you think feeding your pet more than what they need makes you a better parent, think again. It might actually make you the unintentional villain in their story.Love = Food?A recent Royal Canin survey spanning over 14,000 pet owners and 1,750 veterinary professionals across eight countries, including India, reveals a concerning rise in pet obesity, with approximately 40% of adult cats and dogs globally classified as overweight or obese.'Obesity in pets is largely driven by overfeeding and under-exercising,' says Dr Umesh Kallahalli, animal consultant at Mars Petcare India. 'Busy schedules mean fewer walks. Add to that the habit of interpreting every tail wag or meow as hunger, and we're handing out more calories than needed.'And yes, we're guilty of 'just one more treat because he looks sad.' In fact, 41% of pet owners admit to giving pets special treats when they seem bored or lonely. The emotional eating, therefore, doesn't stay limited to humans, thanks to humans, of course.Additionally, Dr Kallahalli mentions that neutering, ageing, and certain health conditions like hypothyroidism can also slow metabolism, making pets more prone to obesity.A portion problemThe confusion around how much to feed a pet is real. More than a quarter (26%) of pet parents don't know their pet's ideal weight, and a shocking 17% cite misinformation as a key reason they struggle to manage it.'We need to talk more about how much is too much,' says Rashi Narang, founder of Heads Up For Tails. 'With no one-size-fits-all diet, portion control is key—based on breed, age, and lifestyle.''Just as we're becoming more conscious about what we eat ourselves, we need to extend that awareness to what we feed our beloved companions—moving toward more fresh, balanced diets that support their health needs,' she adds.The health cost of that extra kibbleThe implications are more than just a chubby belly. Obese pets are at risk for:Diabetes and heart diseaseJoint pain and arthritisBreathing issuesComplications during surgeryA shortened lifespanAnd there's emotional fallout too.'What breaks my heart is seeing a formerly active, playful pup struggling to enjoy the activities they once loved. Beyond physical health, there are mental wellness implications too. Pets that can't move comfortably often become less playful and engaged, which affects their emotional well-being,' says Narang.What lack of awareness does to your petadvertisementFirst things first, your responsibility does not end with just bringing a dog or cat home. Just like you would care for your own baby if you had one—what they eat, how much they eat, what they are allergic to, and so on and so forth—the same applies to that furry friend of yours too. Just in case no one told you, pet parenting is equivalent to, if not more arduous than, bringing up a child.Hence, you need to be aware of their needs even more because they, unlike humans, cannot convey.'Many of us haven't had easy access to information about proper pet nutrition and exercise requirements. There's also a gap in understanding what a healthy weight looks like for different breeds. Many pet parents don't recognise when their pet is overweight until health problems emerge. Sometimes we show love through food without realising the long-term effects,' says Narang.Dr Kallahali adds that sometimes, pet parents also misinterpret their pet's begging as a sign of hunger and start giving small but consistent portion of food. These extra calories can quickly add up and lead to increased weight. Without regular vet consultations and a basic understanding of pet nutrition, weight gain goes unnoticed until health issues arise.advertisementThe sad part – pet abandonmentYes, sounds sad, but this absolutely true and happening across the world (you must have seen a few adds too). Pet abandonment is one of the most pressing and heartbreaking contributors to pet homelessness in India.All is good until it is not. 'Many pet owners give up their pets when faced with lifestyle changes like relocation, financial strain, or new family dynamics and often, abandonment happens without warning,' says Kallahali.As per the State of Pet Homelessness Report by Mars Petcare, India currently has over 69 million homeless cats and dogs, with 60.5 million living as strays. A shocking 38% of dog owners and 57% of cat owners surveyed said they're considering giving up their pet in the next year.So, there's a whole mindset that needs conditioning before one plunge into the decision of getting or buying a pet.So, how do you actually care?As mentioned, it all starts with conditioning yourself. You need to make yourself understand why you are getting a dog or a cat. Is it because you are lonely and need company or you really want to make a difference in that dog's life. That will give you a clearer vision.advertisementOnce you've made the decision, here's how you can set a routine for them. HUFT's Rashi Narang shares some pointers to help you get started:Start with a chat with your vet—they can help you understand what's ideal for your pet's specific breed, age, and health status.Focus on high-quality, balanced diets appropriate for your pet's specific needs.Opt for portion-controlled meals for dogs with zero preservatives or fillers.Pre-portioned meals help take the guesswork out of serving sizes, which is one of the biggest challenges in weight management.Treats are allowed – but again portion control. Don't go overboard.Exercise doesn't have to be intense—it should be fun, but engage them.For dogs, aim for at least 30 minutes of activity daily, whether it's walks, play sessions, or swimming.For cats, interactive toys that stimulate their hunting instincts can keep them moving.Be patient with progress—weight loss should be gradual, about 1–2% of body weight per week.And most importantly, remember:They're not just pets—you're their whole world.They trust you with every wag, every purr, every tired little paw.Honor that love; they're not toys, they're family.