Overweight dogs: why pet obesity is a growing problem and how to fix it!?

At what point did “chunky” become a compliment for our dogs? We giggle at the rolls and the waddle. We find it adorable when they beg for one more bite. But behind that extra layer lies a silent epidemic one that is reducing the quality of their lives and, heartbreakingly, shortening them too.

The Harsh Truth

• Over 50% of dogs and cats globally are overweight or obese
• In India, urban pet obesity has jumped by 40% in just 5 years
• Obesity can cut your dog’s lifespan by up to 2.5 years

At Paws for Greens, we see it every day

• Pet parents overfeeding out of love,
• Brands under-informing to boost sales,
• Vets fighting an uphill battle to change perceptions.

Obesity Is Not Just “Extra Treats”

It’s a complex mix of:

• Feeding the wrong quantity for a pet’s size, breed, and life stage
• Ignoring their activity level
• Handing out too many treats without accounting for calories
• Labels that confuse more than they clarify
• Urban lifestyles with minimal outdoor time
• And often… our own guilt, where we show love through food

Let’s be clear, fitness is love. And it begins with feeding right.

So, how much should your dog actually eat?

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to feeding dogs.

Here’s what really matters:

Breed: A Labrador’s appetite is not a free pass. A Pug’s metabolism is much slower.

Different breeds, different needs.

Life Stage

• Puppies need calorie-dense food for growth
• Adults require balanced maintenance meals
• Seniors slow down and need fewer calories

Weight: Feed for the ideal weight, not the current one—especially if they’re already overweight.

Activity: A couch potato and a daily runner can’t eat the same quantity.

Food Type: Everything counts: kibble, wet food, home-cooked, chews, biscuits, scraps.

A simple feeding guide for conscious pet parents

If you’re unsure how much to feed, here’s a 6-step guide that actually works:

1. Don’t blindly trust the packet: Feeding guides on pet food packs are based on “average” dogs with “average” activity. Your dog is unique, adjust accordingly.

2. Feel, don’t just see: Run your hands over your dog’s ribs. You should feel the ribs easily, but not see them popping out. If you can’t feel them at all, it’s time to cut portions by 10–20% and monitor.

3. Treats = max 10% of daily calories: Yes, chews, scraps, biscuits, and “just one bite” count too.

4. Feed by life stage and breed size.

• Puppies: frequent meals, high calories
• Adults: maintenance feeding based on activity
• Seniors: adjust down for lower metabolism
• Small breeds: faster metabolism, calorie-dense meals
• Large breeds: bigger meals, but lower calorie per kilo

5. Use a measuring cup or kitchen scale: Eyeballing is the #1 cause of accidental overfeeding.

6. When in doubt, ask your vet: Your vet can help calculate your pet’s ideal daily calorie intake and customize their feeding plan.

What the industry needs to do?

• Brands must provide clear labels, transparent calorie guides, and education, not just marketing.
• Vets must counsel on body condition scoring and ideal feeding plans at every visit.
• Treat makers should create functional, portion-friendly snacks, not sugar bombs in cute shapes.

Because health is the real treat...

Obesity isn’t love. It’s not pampering. It’s unknowingly punishing them for loving us unconditionally.

Let’s shift the mindset from: “But he looks cute with those rolls…” to “I want you to live longer, run freer, and feel healthier.”

At Paws for Greens, we believe feeding right is the truest form of love. Let’s raise a generation of pets who are not just loved, but also nourished, fit, and thriving.

Fitness is love. Education is freedom. Let’s feed them right, without guilt, without guesswork.