Early Nutritional Management to Reduce the Risk of Diabetes and Obesity
Obesity is the most common nutritional disease in companion dogs today. The worldwide incidence of obesity in dogs is estimated to range from 25 to 44%1-3 and is expected to continue to increase. A dog generally is considered to be overweight when its mature weight exceeds ideal body weight by 5% or more, and is considered obese when its weight exceeds ideal body weight by 15 to 20%. Obese and overweight conditions are associated with the development of many additional health problems in dogs including hypertension, osteoarthritis, mammary tumors, elevated blood triglycerides, and pancreatitis.4-8 Obese dogs also are more likely to have impaired glucose metabolism, be insulin resistant, and have hyperinsulinemia, which can lead to diabetes mellitus. Not surprisingly, this disease also is on the rise. In 1970, diabetes was diagnosed in 19 out of 10,000 dogs admitted to U.S. veterinary hospitals, while in 1999, 64 out of 10,000 dogs admitted were found to have diabetes.
Flickinger, E. and Sunvold G. (2005) Early Nutritional Management to Reduce the Risk of Diabetes and Obesity. Iams Pediatric Care Symposium: Presented at the North American Veterinary Conference, January 11, 2005, Orlando, Florida, USA. (2005). Dayton, OH: Iams Company.
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View ResourceTopic(s): Breeder Resource, Nutrition, Puppies