Safe Weight Loss for Dogs
At a UK obesity clinic, just over half of obese dogs reached their target weight, and about half regained some later. What helped, and what it took.
Written by thecanineledger
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A 2015 study of 143 obese dogs at a UK university clinic concluded: “Just over half of all obese dogs on a controlled weight loss program reach their target weight.” (German et al., Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2015).
While that sounds discouraging, these were dogs referred to a specialist clinic, many of them very overweight. The studies also show what made success more likely. This page sets out what they found. It doesn’t give feeding amounts, which only your vet can set.
Our note: All the studies on this page come from one clinic, run with a pet food company.
1. How many dogs reached their target
The 2015 cohort. “87/143 dogs (61%) completed their weight loss program, 11 [8%] died or were euthanized, and the remaining 45 [32%] stopped prematurely.”
How long it took. For the whole group, “median duration was 200 days”, and the average dog lost about a fifth of its starting weight.
A slow pace. The median rate of weight loss was “0.6% per week”. This is what happened in the clinic, not a target to aim for at home.
What it doesn’t show. We didn’t check why the dogs that died did so. It may have been other illness, not the weight loss.
Our note: We don’t know why the 8% died or were euthanised. Many dogs in such programmes are old or ill.
2. Very overweight dogs find it harder
Two classes. A 2023 study from the same clinic split dogs into those up to 40% overweight and those more than 40% overweight (Broome et al., Scientific Reports 2023).
What it found. “Compared with class I obesity dogs (78/118, 66%), fewer dogs with class II obesity (80/180, 44%) completed their weight reduction programme”. For the more overweight dogs, the “rate of weight loss was also slower” and “lean tissue loss greater”. Lean tissue is mostly muscle.
What it means. Starting earlier, when a dog is less overweight, may make success more likely.
3. Keeping it off
A follow-up. A 2012 study followed 33 dogs that had reached their target. “Fourteen dogs (42%) maintained weight, 3 (9%) lost >5% additional weight, and 16 (48%) gained >5% weight.” (German et al., Veterinary Journal 2012, abstract).
What made a difference. “Dogs fed a purpose-formulated weight loss diet regained less weight than those switched onto a standard maintenance diet”.
What it doesn’t show. It was 33 dogs, and owners chose which food to use afterwards. It wasn’t a trial.
Our note: The regain study favours staying on a weight-loss diet, and its funder makes such diets.
4. Disclosure
One clinic, one funder. All three studies come from an obesity clinic at the University of Liverpool that is linked to a pet food company. The 2015 study was funded by a grant from the company’s parent group. For the 2023 study, “The study was funded by a grant from” the same company, “and this company manufactured the diets fed in this study.” Two authors’ posts are funded by it. We don’t name the company.
5. What to do
- See your vet first. They can check for illness, set a target weight and work out how much to feed.
- Weigh your dog regularly at the clinic, so the plan can be adjusted.
- Expect it to take months, not weeks.
- Plan for afterwards. About half the dogs in one study regained some weight.
Our note: These points are ours.
→ Is My Dog Overweight? Body Condition Scoring Without Guesswork · → What Extra Weight Costs a Dog: The Labrador Lifetime Study
6. What we could not verify
| Commonly said | What we found |
|---|---|
| “Just cut the food and the weight will come off” | Not that simple. About 4 in 10 dogs in a clinic programme didn’t reach their target. |
| “Weight loss takes a few weeks” | Months. The median was 200 days in one clinic. |
| “Once the weight is off, it stays off” | Not for about half. 48% regained more than 5% in one follow-up. |
| “Any food will do once the weight is lost” | Unclear. One small study, funded by a diet maker, favoured staying on a weight-loss diet. |
Sources
- German AJ, Titcomb JM, Holden SL, et al. Cohort Study of the Success of Controlled Weight Loss Programs for Obese Dogs. J Vet Intern Med 2015: retrospective cohort, 143 dogs, one UK referral clinic. Funded by a pet food group
- Broome HAO, Woods-Lee GRT, Flanagan J, et al. Weight loss outcomes are generally worse for dogs and cats with class II obesity, defined as > 40% overweight. Sci Rep 2023: retrospective cohort, 298 dogs that started weight loss. Funded by a pet food company that made the diets
- German AJ, Holden SL, Morris PJ, Biourge V. Long-term follow-up after weight management in obese dogs: the role of diet in preventing regain. Vet J 2012. ⚠️ abstract read. Follow-up of 33 dogs
Always confirm with your vet before acting on anything on this page.