Fat, happy puppies are adorable, however a recent study indicates that the rate at which a puppy grows and their body weight at 7 months are predictors of obesity in adulthood. The study concluded that weight gain can occur between dogs of the same age, sex, breed, sex status, who eat the same diet and live in the same environment.

The longitudinal study observed 24 female Beagle dogs from birth to 24 months. The dogs were selected from 10 litters. They were weaned at 10 weeks and neutered at 8 months.

From birth to weaning, the puppies remained with their mothers and litter mates and had free access to their mother’s milk and a dry food diet. After weaning until 24 months, the dogs were kennelled in pairs and fed a dry diet ad libitum for 3.5 hours daily. The dogs had the same daily exercise routine. (2 × 15 minute leash walks and 1 hour free off lead time.)

Findings

At the end of the study, 62.3% of the dogs were classified as overweight. Body conditions score (1 for emaciated and 9 for morbidly obese) for dogs eating the same diet and housed in the same environment ranged from 5 – 8.

While the fat free mass and fat mass of offspring positively correlates to the body weight of mother and father the parent’s body weight could not predict the weight of the puppy after 24 months. Further, birth weight did not correlate to the dog’s overweight status as an adult.

At the end of the study, dogs were divided into three groups – IW Ideal Weight, OW1 – Slightly Overweight and OW2 – Overweight groups. The overweight group had significantly higher body weight, height to the withers, fat free mass, fat mass percentage and pelvic circumference than the slightly overweight group. There was a significant difference between the ideal weight and slightly overweight group in fat free mass and fat mass percentage. (Fat free mass was calculated as the total body water in kg divided by a canine specific hydration rate. Fat mass percentage is the difference between body weight and fat free mass divided by body weight.)

Energy intake and expenditure

Weight gain in humans and animals is the result of an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. At four months, there was no imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure between the dogs in the three groups. However, at 4 – 7 months energy intake decreased in all groups and expenditure increased in the ideal weight group but decreased in the overweight group. By 10 months, energy intake was higher in the overweight group while expenditure did not change.

After spaying, the body weight increased in all groups but the weight gain was the greatest in the overweight group. The study concluded that spaying aggravates weight gain in dogs predisposed to obesity. Animal studies indicate that after spaying, energy requirements decrease by 30% so it is generally recommended to reduce the dog’s energy intake accordingly.

Growth rate

From birth to weaning at 10 weeks, the growth rate was significantly higher in the overweight group. This group’s growth rate correlates with these dog’s fat mass at 24 months.

From 6 – 24 months, the body weight of the overweight group was significantly greater than the other two groups of dogs.

Biomarkers for appetite

Throughout this study, plasma concentrations of the following energy intake biomarkers were recorded: insulin, ghrelin, leptin, adiponectin. The study founds a difference in concentration levels of these hormones between normal and overweight dogs.

In the overweight group of dogs, leptin concentrations were higher than the ideal weight group. Leptin plays a role in preserving the body’s fat stores.

60 minutes after a test meal, ghrelin levels were lower in the ideal weight group than the overweight groups. Ghrelin regulates appetite and the rate and distribution of energy in the body, so delays in suppressing this hormone may impact overweight animals’ ability to regulate of energy balance and could facilitate overfeeding.

Takeaway message for dog owners

Canine obesity is one of the primary health concerns in veterinary medicine. Excessive weight in dogs decreases their quality of life and their life span. It has been linked to chronic conditions like osteoarthritis and cardiorespiratory disease. It has also been recognised that obesity involves low level inflammation in the dog’s body which contributes to the development of metabolic disorders and degenerative disease. For young dogs, developmental conditions such as osteochondritis dissecans have been linked to accelerated growth rates as puppies. (Please see http://www.fullstride.com.au/blog/should-i-feed-my-puppy-extra-calcium-and-protein)

Recognising early predictive factors such as the growth rate and adolescent body condition score can help prevent dogs getting fat as adults. It is recognised that only half of dogs that start a weight loss programme reached their ideal weight, so prevention is fair better than attempting weight loss as an adult dog.

Apart from the risk factors that this study identified, generally accepted obesity risk factors include the following:

• Neutering (females especially)
• High feeding frequency
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Specific breeds and cross-breeds

Is your dog in one of these risk categories? If so, how do you keep your dog lean and active? Do you have any weight loss tips for dogs?

Leave me a comment or post on the Full Stride Facebook page. Full Stride provides nutrition advice and remedial massage to maintain dog’s quality of life well into their senior years.

Until next time, enjoy your dogs.

Source:

Leclerc, L, Thorin, C, Flanagan, J, Biourge, V, Serisier, S & Nguyen, P. 2017 “Higher neonatal growth rate and body condition score at 7 months are predictive factors of obesity in adult female Beagle dogs” BMC Veterinary Research 2017 13:104