The growth phase is fundamental to the lifelong health and wellbeing in all humans. A growth pattern that deviates from optimal, can result from malnutrition or the presence of an underlying developmental disorder. Further, overly rapid growth or catch-up growth are known to predispose the childhood obesity, which is itself a risk factor for lifelong obesity. Outcomes of weight management are often disappointing with many animals either failing to reach target weight, or regaining weight subsequently. Given the poor success of weight management, the veterinary profession should arguably consider focusing on prevention of obesity and, for this, ensuring a healthy growth pattern could be key.