This session will summarise provide a framwork for developing a practice-based obesity prevention programme for dogs and cats.  It will start by covering challenges with current weight loss strategies; although these can be very successful, they are very challenging for owners and rebound can often occur. Therefore, aiming to prevent the development of obesity, rather than treating it after it has developed makes more sense.  This can be more challenging than it sounds, not least because the problem develops insidiously, such that it is often missed until it is too late.  Prevention of obesity is a lifelong problem, requiring interventions right from the early growth phase through to the senior adult years.  It requires the veterinary professional to pay constant attention to maintaining a neutral energy balance (in terms of dietary energy intake relative to energy expenditure) whilst, at the same time, confirming this through regular monitoring of body weight and condition.