Nearly 1 in 4 dog owners underestimate their pet’s weight, highlighting a gap between owner perception and veterinary assessment.
A recent Texas A&M University study of nearly 14,000 dogs across the U.S. reveals more than half of American dogs are overweight, with certain breeds, especially sporting dogs like Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, genetically predisposed to high food motivation and obesity. These dogs tend to scavenge, beg persistently, and never feel fully satisfied after meals.
The research, published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, found that sporting breeds scored about 10 points higher in food motivation than mixed breeds, correlating strongly with overweight status. Dogs in multi-dog households and urban settings also exhibited increased food drive, intensifying weight management challenges.
While owners of overweight dogs reported more active management practices such as portion control and exercise, these interventions typically begin only after weight gain occurs rather than as preventive measures. This reactive approach allows obesity habits to become entrenched.
Alarmingly, nearly 24% of owners underestimated their dogs’ weight problems, often disagreeing with veterinary assessments. This disconnect reflects a gap in awareness and communication, compounded by emotional biases and lack of education on healthy canine body conditions.
Experts emphasize the need for early vet involvement and structured feeding strategies, particularly for high-risk breeds, to combat the growing canine obesity epidemic and its serious health consequences like diabetes and arthritis.