Obesity is not only harmful to humans but also for dogs, hence enrolling man’s best friend for weight loss programmes could mean increasing their health benefits, a study has shown.
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Findings:
- Obesity is the most common medical disease in dogs and,
- Much like humans, is associated with a variety of ailments.
- Including orthopedic disease, diabetes mellitus, altered renal function and respiratory dysfunction.
- The findings, led by researchers showed that a weight loss trial helped overweight dogs lose an average of 11 per cent of their body weight.
- Female dogs were found to lose more weight on average than male dogs.
- Further, improvements were also observed in activity and quality of life.
- Treatment of obesity for dogs 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.
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Weight loss programmes:
- For the study, the team conducted weight-loss programmes in 926 overweight dogs was at 340 veterinary practices in 27 countries across the world.
- Out of these, 896 dogs (97 per cent) lost weight, with mean weight loss being 11.4 per cent.
- Despite being on a diet, their food-seeking behaviour became less pronounced.
- However, differences were noted between intact and neutered dogs, with latter losing less on average.
- The study clearly showed that a properly implemented weight loss programme.
- In addition,can successfully result in safe and efficacious weight loss for a large majority of dogs, said a researcher.
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In addition to improvements in quality of life and activity, owners believed that their dogs begged less. Findings that can hopefully assure pet owners that returning their pet to a healthy body condition is beneficial and worthwhile.
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