What is the best diet for weight management in dogs?
More than half of dogs are overweight or obese, driving other chronic health conditions. Although fewer than half of pet parents are discussing their dog’s weight with their vet, when they do, diet and exercise are important starting points. But what is the best diet for overweight dogs – or to prevent obesity in dogs? Canine nutrition researcher and professional sled dog racer, Dr. Mark Roberts, Ph.D., takes us beyond the standard dietary approach to weight management in dogs.
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Key Takeaways:
The standard approach to obesity management is a high-fiber, low-calorie diet – which doesn’t prioritize your dog’s macronutrient needs.
Research shows that dogs who self-select the macronutrient profile of their diet choose diets higher in fat and protein, and maintain a healthy weight.
A diet deficient in fat and protein can drive a dog to overeat, while dogs who consume their natural macronutrient targets will be full and satisfied.
Guest post by Dr. Mark Roberts, Ph.D.
The percentage of dogs classed as being overweight or obese has risen significantly over recent years, with 59% of dogs meeting this threshold in 2022 (1). Dog obesity is also now a major health concern, with clear linkage to numerous health issues such as diabetes, arthritis and chronic kidney disease (2). The reasons for this rapid rise are complex; however, the intake of greater energy than is required remains a trend in all cases. With growing awareness of this problem, and with the veterinary community seemingly unable to limit its progression, we’re asking: Is there a diet that can help reduce the concerning advancement of dogs being deemed overweight or obese? And, do high-fat diets make dogs fat?
The standard approach to obesity in dogs is to high-fiber, low-calorie diets, ranging from 20-40% on a dry matter basis. The effects of this diet:
Dietary fibers dilute the energy density of the food and provide a feeling of satiety by enlargement of the stomach (3) (although this effect remains controversial in dogs).
Reduced energy intake is associated with sub-optimal intake of essential nutrients, especially protein.
High fiber content can potentially decrease a diet’s nutrient value by binding minerals, which can lead to poor coat quality, vomiting and diarrhea.
There is another way.
During completion of my Ph.D., I allowed a group of 15 dogs to self-select from a combination of high protein, high fat and high carbohydrate diets for a 28-day period. During this timeframe, the dogs were allowed to consume as much food as they wanted. On completion of this trial, I calculated the dogs’ energy and macronutrient intake, in addition to assessing bodyweight. The results were interesting:
Dogs were consistent in targeting a diet with a high content of both fat and protein, with a minimal contribution from carbohydrates – a diet selection mirrored by Bones & Co. low-carb dog food recipes.
The dogs who selected this macronutrient ratio ate to their energy requirements, with no significant bodyweight gain (4).
The rule of compromise
In nutrition research, the rule of compromise can be described as a strategy that reflects an approach involving reaching the intake target by over-eating or under-eating one macronutrient to acquire the other limiting nutrient (5). In the case of my research, the dogs had the freedom to select the amount of any macronutrient they wanted, allowing them to reach the high-fat and protein diet. Contrast this with the majority of dogs, who are fed commercial diets high in carbohydrates, with less protein and fat. It is therefore possible that a key factor in the obesity epidemic witnessed in dogs is a result of the rule of compromise: these dogs are fed a diet that fails to reach a macronutrient target (protein or fat) desired naturally by the animal. Consequently, they consume more of the diet in an attempt to reach their protein and/or fat needs – leading to excessive caloric intake.
Feeling full matters
As demonstrated in my research, if a dog is allowed to self-select a diet high in fat and protein, overeating is much less likely to occur than if restricted to a diet of a significantly different macronutrient ratio. In essence, this means a dog is satiated quicker, without the need for more food. This has ramifications beyond the dog itself, in that a pet parent whose dog is looking for more food will be begging and appearing to be hungry, thus is much more likely to receive more food (6), than one who is full and satisfied.
What can you do?
As a pet parent, pay as much attention to the macronutrient content of your dog’s diet as you do the ingredient quality! Macronutrient content of a diet plays a vital role both in reducing the potential of a dog becoming overweight or obese, and in treating the condition. This is centered around providing your dog with a macronutrient ratio they naturally target, helping them feel fuller quicker and ensuring they receive the nutrition they need to thrive.
References
1. State of U.S. Pet Obesity 2022. Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.
2. German, A. J., Blackwell, E., Evans, M., & Westgarth, C. (2017). Overweight dogs exercise less frequently and for shorter periods: results of a large online survey of dog owners from the UK. Journal of nutritional science, 6, e11.
3. German, A. J., Holden, S. L., Bissot, T., Morris, P. J., & Biourge, V. (2010). A high protein high fibre diet improves weight loss in obese dogs. The Veterinary Journal, 183(3), 294-297.
4. Roberts, M. (2020). Macronutrient self-selection in dogs and the impact on markers of health: a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand (Doctoral dissertation, Massey University).
5. Simpson, S. J., & Raubenheimer, D. (2012). The nature of nutrition: a unifying framework. Australian journal of zoology, 59(6), 350-368.
6. Downes, M. J., Devitt, C., Downes, M. T., & More, S. J. (2017). Understanding the context for pet cat and dog feeding and exercising behaviour among pet owners in Ireland: A qualitative study. Irish veterinary journal, 70, 1-10.