Cohort Study of the Success of Controlled Weight Loss Programs for Obese Dogs
Open accessAbstract
Background: Most weight loss studies in obese dogs assess rate and percentage of weight loss in the first 2–3 months, rather than the likelihood of successfully reaching target weight. Objective: To determine outcome of controlled weight loss programs for obese dogs, and to determine the factors associated with successful completion. Animals: 143 obese dogs undergoing a controlled weight loss program. Methods: This was a cohort study of obese dogs attending a referral weight management clinic. Dogs were studied during their period of weight loss, and cases classified according to outcome as “completed” (reached target weight), “euthanized” (was euthanized before reaching target weight), or “stopped prematurely” (program stopped early for other reasons). Factors associated with successful completion were assessed using simple and multiple logistic regression. Results: 87/143 dogs (61%) completed their weight loss program, 11 [8%] died or were euthanized, and the remaining 45 [32%] stopped prematurely. Reasons for dogs stopping prematurely included inability to contact owner, refusal to comply with weight management advice, or development of another illness. Successful weight loss was positively associated with a faster rate (P < .001), a longer duration (P < .001), and feeding a dried weight management diet (P = .010), but negatively associated with starting body fat (P < .001), and use of dirlotapide (P = .0046). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Just over half of all obese dogs on a controlled weight loss program reach their target weight. Future studies should better clarify reasons for success in individual cases, and also the role of factors such as activity and behavioral modification.
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It is easier to prevent weight gain than to treat obesity.
“It is easier to prevent weight gain than it is to treat obesity, adding to the advantages of prevention.35,36”
From 2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (2021) · cites this paper as [35]
The Discussion (page unavailable) says that 40% of dogs stopped their weight-loss programs prematurely, suggesting that controlled weight loss is challenging. The paper does not compare treatment with prevention or establish that preventing weight gain is easier. (LLM, conf=0.82)
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von Elm, E., Altman, D. G., Egger, M., Pocock, S. J., Gøtzsche, P. C., Vandenbroucke, J. P., & Initiative, F. T. S. (2007) · Bulletin of the World Health Organization · doi:10.2471/blt.07.045120 · Cited by 1,632 · see citing works
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Research works printed but not linked: 23
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Cited by
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2021 AAHA Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
Cline, M. G., Burns, K. M., Coe, J. B., Downing, R., Durzi, T., Murphy, M., & Parker, V. (2021) · Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association · doi:10.5326/jaaha-ms-7232 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
Similarities between obesity in pets and children: The addiction model
Pretlow, R. A., & Corbee, R. J. (2016) · British Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1017/s0007114516002774 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
- Authors
- German, A. J., Titcomb, J. M., Holden, S. L., Queau, Y., Morris, P. J., & Biourge, V.
- Affiliations
- University of Liverpool (GB)
- Royal Canin Research Center , B.P.4 – 650 Avenue de la Petite Camargue, 30470 Aimargues,
- Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition (GB)
- Corresponding author
- German, A.J.
- Venue
- Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2015-11-01
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1547-1555
- ISSN
- 0891-6640 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1676
- PMC
- PMC4895666
- OpenAlex
- W2169906907
- Cited by
- 56
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 7
- FWCI
- 9.12
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- WALTHAM
- Mars Petcare (VCR10030)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Orthopedics and Neurology
- Keywords
- canine obesity, slimming program, dogs, weight management, fat mass, weight loss rate, owner compliance
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Dog Diseases, Dogs, Female, Male, Obesity, Cohort Studies, Logistic Models, Weight Reduction Programs
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