Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How diet and activity affect weight loss in obese dogs
By Wakshlag, Joseph J et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2012·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of dietary energy intake and physical activity in dogs undergoing a controlled weight-loss program.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 35 obese dogs enrolled in a weight-loss program were monitored for their daily activity and food intake. The dogs were fed a special diet designed to help them lose about 2% of their body weight each week, while their daily steps were tracked using pedometers. It was found that dogs that were more active could eat more calories without hindering their weight loss. The study showed that for every additional 1,000 steps taken each day, the dogs could increase their calorie intake by 1 kcal per kilogram of body weight.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To quantify physical activity and dietary energy intake in dogs enrolled in a controlled weight-loss program and assess relationships between energy intake and physical activity, sex, age, body weight, and body condition score (BCS). DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: 35 client-owned obese dogs (BCS > 7/9). PROCEDURES: Dogs were fed a therapeutic diet with energy intake restrictions to maintain weight loss of approximately 2%/wk. Collar-mounted pedometers were used to record the number of steps taken daily as a measure of activity. Body weight and BCS were assessed at the beginning of the weight-loss program and every 2 weeks thereafter throughout the study. Relationships between energy intake and sex, age, activity, BCS, and body weight at the end of the study were assessed via multivariable linear regression. Variables were compared among dogs stratified post hoc into inactive and active groups on the basis of mean number of steps taken (< or > 7,250 steps/d, respectively). RESULTS: Mean ± SD daily energy intake per unit of metabolic body weight (kg(0.75)) of active dogs was significantly greater than that of inactive dogs (53.6 ± 15.2 kcal/kg(0.75) vs 42.2 ± 9.7 kcal/kg(0.75), respectively) while maintaining weight-loss goals. In regression analysis, only the number of steps per day was significantly associated with energy intake. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increased physical activity was associated with higher energy intake while maintaining weight-loss goals. Each 1,000-step interval was associated with a 1 kcal/kg(0.75) increase in energy intake.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22309013/