The numbers are rising fast, and almost nobody thinks it is going to be their dog until it is.

Everyone loves a chunky puppy—until the vet starts using words like risk factor and early-stage disease. What used to be a concern for middle-aged dogs is now showing up in toddlers with fur, and the consequences are getting harder to ignore. Vets are seeing more dogs under three with extra weight than ever before, and it is not because they are being spoiled in the cute way.
The truth is, early obesity in dogs is not just about overfeeding. It is a tangle of lifestyle changes, owner habits, and subtle warning signs that get brushed off as harmless quirks. Puppies are growing into their bodies in completely different environments than they used to, and most of it is happening right under our noses while we post photos about how cute their belly rolls are.