Food-obsessed pups’ weight under the microscope
Savannah Meacham |
Food-obsessed Labradors and Golden Retrievers of all shapes and sizes are being recruited to a study to understand obesity in dogs and how best to prevent or tackle the disease.
Researchers are investigating how dogs can be impacted by their curvy physiques, with the hope the findings will help keep more pets in fine shape.
“We’re using those breeds because we know they tend to be a bit chubby … they are very food oriented,” chief investigator Dr Erika Meler, from the University of Queensland, told AAP.
A recent study also suggested there may be a genetic predisposition among Labradors and Golden Retrievers to obesity, but researchers will also investigate whether it is just behavioural.
Lisa Gore and her seven-year-old yellow Labrador Willow are three months into the study after signing up to better understand how to keep the dog at a good weight.
Ms Gore previously had another Labrador that was very overweight and found it was a struggle to help the dog lose some kilos.
“I’m very conscious with Willow to keep her at a perfect weight,” she told AAP.
Willow is not a beggar for food, but she is certainly obsessed with it, Ms Gore said.
“We’ve got another dog and I have to stand there and make sure Willow doesn’t try and eat Tilly’s food as well,” she said.
Participants are given a specific weight loss diet, seven months’ worth of the food, and a nutritional and exercise plan.
The dogs also wear an activity tracker collar, like an Apple Watch, that shows how much exercise the dog does, how much it licks and drinks.
Ms Gore has already noticed Willow’s coat has become shinier and the family has switched their other dog to the diet, saying they’re going to continue with the food after the study.
“She loves the food but I don’t think she’d care what we fed her,” Ms Gore said.
Dr Meler hopes the findings will raise awareness around obesity for all dogs, helping owners understand the ideal weight for a pup.
“I think it’s not recognised easily by pet owners that their animal is overweight,” she said.
The study will also show the best way to get overweight pups to lose some of their chubbiness.
Researchers are hoping more Queensland Labradors and Golden Retrievers will join the study but have already seen a fair bit of interest, particularly from some curvier dogs.
“We’ll be really interested if people with normal weight pups can contact us,” Dr Meler said.
AAP
