Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog obesity: veterinary practices' and owners' opinions on cause and management.
- Journal:
- Preventive veterinary medicine
- Year:
- 2010
- Authors:
- Bland, I M et al.
- Affiliation:
- School of Agriculture and Food Systems · Australia
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study in Victoria, Australia looked at how dog owners and veterinarians view the causes and management of obesity in dogs. The research found that veterinarians believe about 30% of the dogs they see are obese, mainly due to human-related factors like diet and exercise, rather than dog-specific issues. Many veterinarians recommend strategies like cutting back on food and treats or changing diets before suggesting more intensive options, such as obesity clinics, which 43% of practices offer. Dog owners, on the other hand, often prefer to try adjusting their dog's diet and increasing exercise on their own before seeking help. Overall, there seems to be a gap between what veterinarians recommend and what owners expect, particularly regarding dietary changes.
Abstract
Obesity in dogs is attributed to several factors, including genetic pre-disposition, reproductive management and dietary/exercise (human) management. A quantitative analysis of questionnaire responses from dog owners and veterinary practices in Victoria, Australia was used. A total of 219 dog owner questionnaire and 153 veterinary practice questionnaires were returned. Veterinary practices estimated the prevalence of dog obesity within their practice as 30% on average, ranging from <10 to 100%. Veterinary practices felt that 3% of cases could be attributed to dog specific factors and 97% to human specific factors such as diet, exercise and owner attitudes. Management strategies included reducing food intake, reduced treat feeding and changing diet before recommending more intensive options such as obesity clinics. Of the surveyed veterinary practices, 43% ran obesity clinics and 79% of those believed they were a valuable management tool. Of veterinary practices that did not run obesity clinics, only 46% believed them to be a valuable management tool. Dog owners preferred to try to reduce dog weight through diet manipulation, increasing exercise and elimination of treats prior to consulting the veterinary practice. There is a clear difference in expectations with veterinary practices recommending reduction in dietary intake compared to owners expecting to have to modify the diet itself, which may have a cost and hence psychological implication to the owner.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20167383/