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Weight management in client-owned dogs fed a high protein – low carbohydrate maintenance diet

09/11/2020

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The aim of this study was to assess the weight loss achieved with a high protein - low carb maintenance diet by overweight dogs which had previously failed with a weight loss programme. (poster Weight Control Dog ESVCN 2014)

Introduction

Excessive bodyweight (BW) is the most common nutritional condition in pets: 33.8 to 38.9% of dogs  are overweight, and 5 to 20.4% are obese.^1-3
Specific weight loss diets, formulated on a low energy - high fibre concept, are frequently poorly palatable and often perceived as too burdensome
by pet owners.⁴ So there is a need for non restrictive palatable diets which could assist pets to gradually lose weight.

Animals, materials and methods

During 8 weeks, 40 overweight adult dogs were given a new dry maintenance diet (Table 1). 0.5 to 1% weight loss per week was targeted. Individual daily rations were calculated each week, based on the energy requirement, estimated at 0.8 x 0.8 x 156 x BW0.667 (BW being recorded weekly). 5 A General Linear Mixed Model (factors: fixed (time), random (dog)) was used to test weight loss between weeks, with a 5% significance level.

Table 1-poster WEIGHT CONTROL DOG ESVCN 2014.png

Results

80% of dogs lost weight and 65% had a visibly slimmed silhouette. The mean weight loss was 0.82% per week. Rationing was not too strict as 84% of owners estimated that their dog’s appetite was correctly satisfied during weight loss: 90% of dogs appreciated the tested diet, according to their owners and 80% of pet owners were ready to buy this diet, and 82% would recommend it to friends.

Table 2-poster WEIGHT CONTROL DOG ESVCN 2014.png

Conclusion

The high animal protein content of this food allowed to obtain a gradual loss of weight and a sufficient satiety while maintaining good palatability, the two last criteria being essential for pet owners’ compliance and satisfaction6,7 .

Chaix^a, C. Navarro^a, S. Fournel^a, I. Leriche^b
^aVirbac Medical and R&D Department, Carros, France
^b Virbac Nutrition, Vauvert, France

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Weight dog: Weight management in client-owned dogs fed a high protein – low carbohydrate maintenance diet