Dr. Kathleen Gartner is a recent graduate from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS). All of her work has done a great deal to help improve the state of knowledge about obesity in dogs. As part of the Veterinary Medical Scientist Research Training Program, she co-authored a study titled “Food motivation and owner feeding management practices are associated with overweight among Dog Aging Project participants,” published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research. This study underscores the important interplay between dog breed, environment, and overall canine obesity.
The study examined over 50,000 dogs from all different breeds and backgrounds registered in the Dog Aging Project (DAP). It was right to call out the role that certain breeds and owners play in making their dogs overweight. The results indicate that common competitive sporting group breeds such as retrievers, spaniels, and setters are food motivated. Their motivation was 10% higher than other breeds combined. This spurs continued research into how these traits shape the broader health of canines.
Insights on Canine Obesity
Dr. Gartner’s investigation emphasizes the importance of understanding the multifaceted nature of canine obesity. For instance, she said veterinarians should understand the underlying social, environmental or demographic factors that contribute to obesity.
“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,” – Kathleen Gartner.
Finally, the study highlights the importance of owner feeding practices in controlling dog obesity. Dr. Kate Creevy, the chief veterinary officer for the DAP and a collaborator on Dr. Gartner’s study, noted that owner behaviors can significantly impact a dog’s health.
“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.
Feeding Practices and Environment
Continuing to expand on the topic of how environmental conditions can limit their ability to get exercise and nutritious food. Dr. As she put it, “it doesn’t mean all dogs will dig for food just because they’re bored. This is particularly impactful in settings where they have limited opportunities for movement or cognitive stimulation.
“It’s likely that these factors influence the amount of exercise that dogs get in addition to their access to food,” – Creevy.
Dr. Creevy addressed how owners with multiple dogs usually feed for convenience’s sake. One major method is free feeding, which leads to unlimited food access. This practice is especially troubling given its potential role in increasing overweight or obesity status among dogs.
“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,” – Creevy.
Implications for Veterinarians and Owners
The study’s findings have important ramifications both for veterinarians and for dog owners. Dr. Creevy highlighted the role of Body Condition Score (BCS) as an integral tool in the fight against canine obesity. BCS helps veterinarians communicate effectively with owners about their dog’s weight status and the importance of maintaining a healthy weight.
“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.
The research indicates that owners who actively engage their dogs in sports are more likely to understand how to assess BCS effectively. This points to the conclusion that owner motivation and education were key components in keeping a dog at a healthy weight.
“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,” – Creevy.
Dr. Creevy warned that weight-loss interventions for dogs can still struggle with regularity and owner adherence.
“Previous research has shown that weight-loss interventions for dogs are not always successful, especially if they’re not followed consistently,” – Creevy.
Additionally, gaps of understanding and compassion between veterinarians and pet owners may further impede their ability to tackle the doggy obesity epidemic. Dr. Creevy mentioned that certain breeds may require more rigorous feeding control based on their predisposed behavioral tendencies.
“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.” – Creevy.
