Differential Metabolic Effects of Energy Restriction in Dogs Using Diets Varying in Fat and Fiber Content

Abstract

Differential metabolic effects of energy restriction in dogs using diets varying in fat and fiber content. Obes Res. 1996;4:337-345. The role of dietary fat and fiber in energy restriction for the management of obesity was examined. Twelve male castrated dogs were energy restricted for 7 weeks by feeding 60% of their calculated maintenance energy requirements (MER = 1500 kcaUm 2/d) for ideal body weight. Six dogs were restricted on a high-fat (35.4 kcal % from fat), lowfiber (2.9% dry matter basis [DMB]) diet while the other six dogs were restricted on a low-fat (24.5 kcal % from fat), high-fiber (27% DMB) diet. Compared with the high-fat, low-fiber diet, energy restriction on the low-fat, high-fiber diet resulted in significantly greater decreases in body fat (1472 ± 166 vs, 853 ± 176 g ; p < 0.05) and total serum cholesterol concentrations (108.7 ± 11.3 vs, 51.5 ± 13.9 mgldL ; p< 0.005). Reductions in body weight (2.86 ± 0.3 vs, 2.14 ± 0.3 kg; p< 0.09), and mean arterial blood pressure (17.4 ± 6.1 vs. 6.7 ±2.9 mmHg; p < 0.12) were also greater on the low-fat diet; however, these diet effects did not reach statistical signifi- cance, These data suggest that the fat and fiber content of the diet during energy restriction are important factors in the management of obesity.

Dietary Energy Restriction and Successful Weight Loss in Obese Client-Owned Dogs

“…The mean rate of weight loss achieved (0.84% per week) was slower than observed in studies with diets of similar composition in colony dogs where rates of weight loss of 1.3-2.6% per week were achieved. [6][7][8] However, the results concur with the findings of previous clinical studies [9][10][11][12] and suggest clinicians should expect slower rates of weight lost in client-owned dogs in the clinical setting. Although these data provide useful information on current weight-loss strategies for dogs, there may be problems in extrapolating directly the results to practitioners in first-opinion practice.…”

“…A number of studies examined the success of weight loss in dogs, especially those involving experimental trials. [6][7][8] However, such data might not be fully representative of weight loss in a practice setting where the variables are less controlled than in a colony environment. Previous studies examined weight-loss regimes in client-owned dogs, [9][10][11][12] but there is a need for more information on this topic.…”

Outcomes of weight management in obese pet dogs: what can we do better?

“…Not surprisingly, obesity conveys increased risk of mortality to affected human subjects (6) . Similarly, the veterinary profession now recognises obesity to be the most important medical disease in dogs (7) , with previous studies suggesting that 34-59 % of dogs (8)(9)(10) are either overweight or obese. Although published evidence is limited, the prevalence of canine obesity appears to be gradually increasing (11) .…”

“…When assessed in a colony setting, weight loss protocols for obese dogs are very successful with typical rates of weight loss consistently over 1 % per week, when restricting caloric intake to 50-75 % of maintenance energy requirements (33)(34)(35)(36) . Whilst there are many advantages to performing such studies in a colony, most notably in consistency and control, the results are not necessarily representative of how obese dogs lose weight when supervised by their owners.…”

A High-Protein, High-Fiber Diet Designed for Weight Loss Improves Satiety in Dogs

“…1 Although pharmaceuticals recently received approval for the treatment of weight loss, 2 the conventional strategy for managing obesity involves dietary energy restriction combined with increasing activity levels. Weight-loss programs are successful in experimental trials [3][4][5] but do not perform as well in practice. 6 A major hurdle is that energy restriction causes hunger, leading to increased begging and scavenging activity.…”