Tackling Obesity in Dogs
By Sharon Albright, DVM, CCRT
Manager of Communications & Veterinary Outreach, AKC Canine Health Foundation
As a new year begins, many people make – and break – New Year’s resolutions regarding their weight and health. Setting aside any judgments on this practice, maintaining your dog at a healthy weight is always a worthy commitment. According to a 2022 survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 59% of U.S. dogs are estimated to be overweight or obese.
This staggering statistic has significant implications for canine health. In dogs, as in humans, obesity is an inflammatory condition that affects the heart, joints, kidneys, and skin, and even contributes to the development of cancer. Addressing obesity first reduces fatty tissue levels and the associated inflammation, which can lead to the improvement or resolution of other health issues.
Obesity can even impact a dog’s lifespan. A laboratory study1 by Nestle Purina Petcare showed that Labrador Retrievers fed 25% less than their free-fed littermates developed chronic diseases such as arthritis at a later age and lived up to two years longer. A more recent study of North American pet dogs also found that healthy-weight dogs outlived their overweight peers by up to two and a half years. Since we all want to spend more quality time with our beloved dogs, prioritizing a healthy weight is essential to ensuring a longer, happier life together.
If your dog is already overweight, decreased calorie intake and increased exercise are the mainstay of an effective treatment plan. Since this approach takes time and dedication from the owner and the veterinary team, scientists are looking for additional tools to help dogs achieve a healthy weight faster.
One promising avenue is being studied at The Ohio State University where AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF)-funded researchers are investigating fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) (CHF Grant 02723: Scientific and Clinical Assessment of Fecal Microbiota Transplant in Obese Dogs: SLIM Study). The intestinal microbiota—a community of bacteria, fungi, and other microscopic organisms in the digestive tract—plays a significant role in metabolism and weight management. Studies in humans and rodents suggest that the intestinal microbiota contributes to obesity and weight management. FMT aims to transfer microbes that promote a lean body weight into overweight dogs, offering a novel approach to treating obesity.
“Obesity is a disease. We need to treat it as such and give it the appropriate level of attention,” says Principal Investigator Dr. Janessa Winston.
The SLIM Study is just one example of CHF-funded research working to develop more effective treatment and prevention strategies for canine diseases like obesity. Learn more about this important work at akcchf.org/research.
Short URL: https://caninechronicle.com/?p=316600
Posted by Liz
on Jan 18 2025. Filed under Current Articles, Featured.
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