Chonky cat, fat doggo, not so cute: Why overweight strays shouldn’t become internet celebrities

Social media communities in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata are celebrating overweight stray dogs and cats through online competitions, leading veterinarians and welfare workers to warn against the health risks. An admin of a Kolkata-based community stated these groups intend to celebrate local animals for entertainment. Veterinarian Kaustav Basu said that overweight stray dogs can develop joint issues. He noted that mobility problems often occur when their weight exceeds 25 kg. Basu observed that while rice is a common option for feeders on a budget, it is high in carbohydrates and needs balancing with boiled side food. He cautioned that kitchen leftovers containing oil and spices are harmful and recommended feeding animals only twice daily. Animal welfare worker Samrat Mukherjee alleged that glorifying animal size for social media engagement trivializes suffering and ignores potential underlying health problems. Veterinarian Saibal Chattopadhayay stated that obesity leads to fatty liver, thyroid issues, and fat accumulation in the pancreas. Mukherjee advised that feeders should contact a veterinarian or an NGO instead of overfeeding. He added, “Animal welfare should always come before online popularity.”