Dog obesity: owner attitudes and behaviour

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Science
• Canine Health

Background:

• Obesity in dogs is a growing concern with multifactorial causes.
• While genetic and reproductive factors play a role, human management of diet and exercise is a significant contributor.
• Understanding owner behaviors is crucial for developing effective obesity management strategies in companion animals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively analyze the relationship between dog owner management practices and canine body condition.
• To investigate dietary habits, feeding frequencies, treat distribution, and exercise routines in relation to dog weight.
• To identify specific owner-related factors influencing the prevalence of overweight and obesity in dogs.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative analysis of questionnaire responses from 219 dog owners in Victoria, Australia, involving 302 dogs.
• Owners assessed their dog's body condition score (BCS) using photographic references (scores 2-5).
• Data collected included household size, feeding schedules, treat frequency, and exercise methods (walking vs. yard confinement).

Main Results:

• Households with normal weight dogs had fewer people involved in daily care compared to those with overweight/obese dogs.
• Normal weight dogs were fed meals in two portions, while obese dogs were fed in one or three-plus portions; treat frequency was significantly lower for normal weight dogs.
• Daily exercise was associated with normal weight dogs, whereas weekly exercise and yard confinement were linked to overweight/obese dogs.

Conclusions:

• Canine obesity is significantly influenced by owner-managed dietary patterns, including meal frequency and treat distribution.
• Exercise habits, specifically daily walks versus yard confinement, are critical factors in maintaining a healthy canine weight.
• The interrelationship between food management, exercise, and social factors within a household strongly affects dog obesity.