Neutering increases the risk of obesity in male dogs but not in bitches — A cross-sectional study of dog- and owner-related risk factors for obesity in Danish companion dogs

Bjørnvad, Charlotte Reinhard; Gloor, SM; Johansen, Sys Stybe; Sandøe, Peter; Lund, Thomas Bøker

doi:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104730

Cited by 50 publications

(46 citation statements)

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“…This relationship is corroborated by studies showing that neutering dogs results in lower daily energy requirements combined with higher food consumption (18). Sex has previously been found to be a risk factor both alone (6) and in interaction with neutering (10), though other studies did not identify a significant effect (9). We specifically tested for an association between sex and weight and, despite having adequate power, did not detect an effect in our sample.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

Risk factors associated with canine overweightness and obesity in an owner-reported survey

Perry

Shmalberg

Tanprasertsuk

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background Overweightness and obesity in dogs are associated with negative health outcomes. A better understanding of risk factors associated with canine weight is fundamental to identifying preventative interventions and treatments. In this cross-sectional study, we used a direct to consumer approach to collect body condition scores (BCS), as well as demographic, diet, and lifestyle data on 4,446 dogs. BCS was assessed by owners using a 9-point system and categorized as ideal (BCS 4-5), overweight (BCS 6), and obese (BCS 7+). Following univariate analyses, a stepwise procedure was used to select variables which were included in multivariate logistic regression models. One model was created to compare ideal to all overweight and obese dogs, and another was created to compare ideal to obese dogs only. We then used Elastic Net selection and XGBoost variable importance measures to validate these results. Results Overall, 1,480 (33%) of dogs were reported to be overweight or obese, of which 356 (8% total) of dogs were reported to be obese. Seven factors were significantly associated with both overweightness/obesity and obesity alone in all three analyses (stepwise, Elastic Net, and XGBoost): diet composition, probiotic supplementation, treat quantity, exercise, age, food motivation level, and pet appetite. Neutering was also associated with overweightness/obesity in all analyses. Conclusions This study recapitulated established risk factors associated with BCS (age, exercise, neutering). Moreover, we elucidated associations between previously examined risk factors and BCS (diet composition, treat consumption, and temperament) and identified a novel factor (probiotic supplementation). Specifically, relative to dogs on fresh food diets, BCS was higher in dogs eating dry food both alone and in combination with other foods. Furthermore, dogs receiving probiotics, but not other forms of supplementation, were more likely to have an ideal BCS. Future studies should corroborate these findings with experimental manipulations.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

Risk factors associated with canine overweightness and obesity in an owner-reported survey

Perry

Shmalberg

Tanprasertsuk

et al. 2020

Preprint

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“…These studies include dog populations from the US, the UK, Continental Europe, Australia, China, and Japan [116,[183][184][185][186][187][188][189][190][191]. While one recent study performed in Danish dogs found an increased obesity risk associated with desexing that was limited to male dogs [189], most other available studies find that the effect is present in both sexes. In addition, an international study of 926 overweight dogs undergoing a weight loss diet for three months found that intact dogs of both sexes lost significantly more weight during the study period than desexed dogs [192].…”

Section: Weight Gain and Obesitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Desexing Dogs: A Review of the Current Literature

Urfer

Kaeberlein

2019

Animals

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Background: Desexing dogs is promoted for population control, preventative healthcare, and behavior modification. Common methods are orchiectomy and ovariectomy/ovariohysterectomy. GnRH superagonist implants are available in some areas. Alternative methods like vasectomy and salpingectomy/hysterectomy are uncommon. The terminology used to describe desexing is inconsistent and contradictory, showing a need for the adaption of standardized terminology. Population Control: Surprisingly, empirical studies show no effects of desexing on population control in companion and shelter dogs despite desexing being consistently recommended in the literature. There is evidence for a population control effect in free-roaming dogs, where desexing also has benefits on zoonotic disease and bite risk. Population control in free-roaming dogs is mostly correlated with female, not male desexing. Health and Lifespan: Desexing affects numerous disease risks, but studies commonly neglect age at diagnosis and overall lifespan, age being by far the most important risk factor for most diseases. We argue that lifespan is a more important outcome than ultimate cause of death. A beneficial effect of desexing on lifespan is consistently demonstrated in females, while evidence for a beneficial effect in males is inconsistent. Studies are likely biased in desexing being a proxy for better care and desexed dogs having already lived to the age of desexing. Desexing reduces or eliminates common life-limiting diseases of the female reproductive system such as pyometra and mammary tumors, while no analogous effect exists in males. Disease risks increases across sexes and breeds include cruciate ligament rupture, various cancers, and obesity. Urinary incontinence risk is increased in females only. Various other disease risk changes show considerable variability between breeds and sexes. Behavioral Effects: Desexed males show reduced libido, roaming, conspecific mounting, and urinary marking frequency, as well as reduced male dog-directed aggression in a majority of males desexed for behavioral reasons. There is a detrimental effect on the risk and progression of age-related cognitive dysfunction. Desexed dogs may be less likely to cause bite injuries across sexes. The evidence for other effects such as human-directed aggression, human or object mounting, resource guarding, or shyness and anxiety is inconsistent and contradictory. There are few studies specific to females or individual breeds. Conclusions: The evidence for a beneficial effect of desexing is stronger in female than in male dogs; however, there is significant variation between breeds and sexes, and more research is needed to further elucidate these differences and to arrive at individualized evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice.

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“…Clinical assessment of overweightness and obesity relies on body condition scores (BCS) based on visual inspection and palpation. A number of studies have identified risk factors associated with increased BCS, including increased age (3)(4)(5)(6)8,9), neutering (3,5,6,9,10), and decreased exercise (11,12). Some studies have also identified an effect of different feeding practices.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Home-made diets, table foods, semi-moist foods, and canned foods have all been associated with overweightness and obesity (3,12). The consumption of treats and snacks has also been identified as a risk factor (8,10,11). Despite these findings, many of these studies have been limited by comparatively smaller sample sizes (8), or have included only a handful of risk factors (6).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk factors associated with canine overweightness and obesity in an owner-reported survey

Perry

Shmalberg

Tanprasertsuk

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Overweightness and obesity in dogs are associated with negative health outcomes. A better understanding of risk factors associated with canine weight is fundamental to identifying preventative interventions and treatments. In this cross-sectional study, we used a direct to consumer approach to collect body condition scores (BCS), as well as demographic, diet, and lifestyle data on 4,446 dogs. BCS was assessed by owners using a 9-point system and categorized as ideal (BCS 4-5), overweight (BCS 6), and obese (BCS 7+). Following univariate analyses, a stepwise procedure was used to select variables which were included in multivariate logistic regression models. One model was created to compare ideal to all overweight and obese dogs, and another was created to compare ideal to obese dogs only. We then used Elastic Net selection and XGBoost variable importance measures to validate these results. Results: Overall, 1,480 (33%) of dogs were reported to be overweight or obese, of which 356 (8% total) of dogs were reported to be obese. Seven factors were significantly associated with both overweightness/obesity and obesity alone in all three analyses (stepwise, Elastic Net, and XGBoost): diet composition, probiotic supplementation, treat quantity, exercise, age, food motivation level, and pet appetite. Neutering was also associated with overweightness/obesity in all analyses. Conclusions: This study recapitulated established risk factors associated with BCS (age, exercise, neutering). Moreover, we elucidated associations between previously examined risk factors and BCS (diet composition, treat consumption, and temperament) and identified a novel factor (probiotic supplementation). Specifically, relative to dogs on fresh food diets, BCS was higher in dogs eating dry food both alone and in combination with other foods. Furthermore, dogs receiving probiotics, but not other forms of supplementation, were more likely to have an ideal BCS. Future studies should corroborate these findings with experimental manipulations.

show abstract

Neutering increases the risk of obesity in male dogs but not in bitches — A cross-sectional study of dog- and owner-related risk factors for obesity in Danish companion dogs

Cited by 50 publications

References 46 publications

Risk factors associated with canine overweightness and obesity in an owner-reported survey

Risk factors associated with canine overweightness and obesity in an owner-reported survey

Desexing Dogs: A Review of the Current Literature

Risk factors associated with canine overweightness and obesity in an owner-reported survey

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