Keeping a dog's growth rate in check can help ensure they hit and maintain their ideal weight.
That's according to a new study published in part by United Kindgom's Banfield Pet Hospital and Waltham Petcare Science Institute. The paper shows the potential of applying evidence-based growth standards (ie Diagrams) for puppies, which researchers say could help ensure adequate weight gain and minimize cases of obesity.
The study compared the growth curves represented by the standards with growth patterns in dogs who were healthy, had an abnormal body condition, or had various diseases known to be associated with abnormal growth. A number of growth standards based on body weight have been developed for dogs in five different size classes.
The results, which analyzed data from the Banfield Hospital Network, the Waltham Petcare Science Institute, and the Royal Canin Research Center in France, showed that 68 percent of dogs who developed obesity by the age of three grew faster than predicted growth standards. In addition, 49 percent of dogs classified as underweight at the same age gained weight more slowly than expected.
These results suggest that the standards could be a useful tool for veterinarians to monitor the healthy growth of dogs from puppyhood.
"Obesity is the biggest health problem our pets face today," said Darren Logan, director of research at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute. "We developed the puppy growth charts so that owners and vets can see when puppies are potentially off-course, so they can act faster to avoid obesity before major health issues arise."
According to the Waltham Petcare Science Institute, more than half of all pets in the US and the UK are considered overweight or obese. In addition, these conditions can shorten a dog's lifespan by up to 2.5 years, depending on the breed of animal.
"We know that optimal growth is critical to the future health and wellbeing of dogs, as many of the health problems that arise in early life are linked to poor weight management," says study co-author Alex German. B.VSc., PhD, Dipl.-Ing. ECVIM.
“The results of this study suggest that these growth charts can identify both healthy growth and growth patterns, indicating potential health problems. We hope that veterinarians and owners can easily apply these evidence-based growth standards to help puppies stay in shape and get them on track for their adult lives. "
The study, which was also developed by researchers from the Great Ormond Street Institute for Child Health (GOS ICH) of University College London (UCL) and the Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences of the University of Liverpool, was published in PLUS ONE.
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