An open-label randomised clinical trial to compare the efficacy of dietary caloric restriction and physical activity for weight loss in overweight pet dogs
Chapman, M. et al.
2018
Veterinary Journal

This randomized clinical trial compares two key strategies widely used for the management of canine obesity. A total of 13 overweight dogs (body condition score 6-9/9) were randomized into either intervention by dietary caloric restriction or physical activity. The dietary caloric restriction was based on a therapeutic diet for weight loss, on the other hand, the physical activity approach consisted in an increased by at least one third of the dog's activity.

Although body weight change was the main outcome, there were also changes in neck, chest, abdominal circumference, and change in physical activity measured by a triaxial accelerometer.

Weight loss outcomes were much higher for caloric restriction (median -10% of baseline body weight [SBW], 5 to -12%; P = .028) than for increased physical activity (-2 %SBW, +3% to -6%; P=0.107), and therefore advising dog owners to increase physical activity to achieve the dog's weight loss on its own wasn't enough. However, there were statistically significant changes in both groups in abdominal circumference (dietary caloric restriction: median -12.0%; physical activity: median -7.8%, P=0.016) and chest circumference (dietary caloric restriction: median -7.5% , P=0.031, physical activity: median -3.6%, P=0.031).