Study Links Dog Breed, Environment To Canine Obesity

Half of the dogs in the United States are reported to be overweight and, according to a new study led by Texas A&M University and the Dog Aging Project (DAP), the cause may be a complex web of interactions between dogs, their breed background, their environment and food motivation.

For example, the study found that popular sporting group breeds — such as retrievers, spaniels and setters — are about 10% more likely to be more motivated by food than other dogs. 

Meanwhile, owners are more likely to monitor their dog’s diet closely if they themselves reported that their dog was overweight, rather than if only their veterinarian recognized the dog’s overweight status, according to the recently published study, which assessed a combination of dog owner survey responses and veterinarian-reported body condition scores collected from medical records submitted through the DAP.

“Overweight dogs are prone to numerous health problems, including skin disease, diabetes, and arthritis,” said Dr. Kate Creevy, DAP chief veterinary officer and a professor in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences’ (VMBS) Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences. 

“It is imperative that veterinarians develop a better understanding of canine obesity and whether it may be linked to social, environmental, or demographic factors so that we can give every dog the best possible quality of life,” she said.

The DAP is an initiative that studies the effects of aging and what makes a healthy canine life. To date, more than 50,000 dogs from all backgrounds have been enrolled.

Dr. Kathleen Gartner, a recent graduate of the VMBS’ Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program, conducted research for this study as part of the college’s Veterinary Medical Scientist Research Training Program.

Understanding A Dog’s Love Of Food

While it’s no surprise that dogs love to eat, the recent study has shown that canine obesity involves many factors.

“Our study confirmed that dogs in the sporting group — which in our study group were largely Labrador retrievers and Golden retrievers — have a greater likelihood to have high food motivation,” Creevy said. “Given that these are two of the most common breeds in the U.S., it is vital that both veterinarians and dog owners understand the diet management strategies necessary for achieving a healthy weight.”

The study also found that dogs in urban environments and those from multi-dog households are more likely to have higher food motivation.

“It’s likely that these factors influence the amount of exercise that dogs get in addition to their access to food,” Creevy said. “Some dogs may seek food out of boredom, which may increase in environments where exercise and enrichment are less available. Additionally, owners with multiple dogs may choose certain feeding practices — including free feeding — out of convenience, which can lead to more food being available.”

The Importance Of Body Condition Scores

One of the primary ways that veterinarians assess weight in dogs is by using a body condition score (BCS), which compares the animal’s fat accumulation to its size. To determine BCS, a veterinarian will feel areas like the dog’s ribs and hips and then assign the dog a number on a scale of one to nine, with five being an ideal body condition.

However, the DAP’s recent study found that about a third of veterinary medical records didn’t include a BCS within the prior year. That owners were less likely than veterinarians to report their dogs as overweight may be connected to a lack of understanding BCS.

“A BCS plays a key role in helping veterinarians communicate with owners about their dog’s weight, which is why we need to continue increasing use of these scores,” Creevy said. “Studies have shown that owners of dogs that are active in sports are more likely to know how to assess BCS, which suggests that owner motivation may play a role in learning how to apply BCS to help their dogs maintain a healthy weight.”

Helping Dogs Reach A Healthy Weight

While many owners are aware that their dogs are overweight and are interested in helping their pet achieve a healthy weight, the process isn’t straightforward.

“Previous research has shown that weight loss interventions for dogs are not always successful, especially if they’re not followed consistently,” Creevy said. “Sometimes there are issues in communication between the veterinarian and the owner, and given what we learned from this study, it’s also possible that some breeds require even stricter feeding practices. ”

If you suspect that your dog is overweight, the best thing to do is talk to your veterinarian, who can recommend the best kind of food for your dog and help you set exercise goals and a feeding schedule that meets your dog’s needs.