Weight loss programmes for dogs may boost health, lifespan

A new weight loss programme may help overweight dogs effectively shed extra kilos, allowing your beloved pets to live longer, healthier lives, scientists say.

Obesity is the most common medical disease in dogs in different geographical regions and, much like in humans, is associated with a variety of ailments.

In addition to these adverse effects on health, quality of life is poorer in obese dogs and lifespans can be shortened.

Currently, treatment of obesity predominantly involves feeding a purpose-formulated food in restricted quantities to invoke controlled weight loss, as well as increasing physical activity which can provide additional benefits.

Successful weight loss can lessen the chance of developing these ailments and their impact.

Researchers from the University of Liverpool in the UK recently completed the largest ever international weight loss trial in dogs, involving 340 veterinary practices in 27 countries across the world.

All dogs received a specially-formulated high-protein high-fibre weight loss diet for a period of a three months, and the amount of weight loss was determined.

In addition, owners were asked to score levels of activity, quality of life, and food-seeking behaviour throughout the trial.

The majority of dogs enrolled in the study loss weight, with the average being 11 per cent of their starting body weight. However, differences were noted between intact and neutered dogs, with neutered dogs losing less on average.

Further, female dogs lost more weight on average than male dogs, with the difference being most pronounced in dogs from North and South America.

Owners also reported improvements in activity and quality of life during the study whilst, despite being on a diet, their food-seeking behaviour became less pronounced.

"This is the largest ever international multi-centre weight loss study conducted to date in overweight dogs," said Alexander German, from the University of Liverpool.

"While the short-term duration of the study meant that many dogs did not reach their target weight, the fact that owners observed improved activity and quality of life suggests real benefits to wellbeing," said German.

The results were published in the journal PLOS ONE.