New research from Texas A&M University and the Dog Aging Project reveals that canine obesity stems from complex interactions between breed characteristics, environmental factors and food motivation levels, with sporting group breeds showing 10% higher food motivation than other dogs.
The study analyzed survey responses from dog owners and veterinarian-reported body condition scores from more than 50,000 enrolled dogs. Researchers found that popular sporting breeds demonstrate significantly higher food motivation compared to other breed groups.
"Our study confirmed that dogs in the sporting group, which in our study group were largely Labrador retrievers and Golden retrievers, have a greater likelihood to have high food motivation," said Dr. Kate Creevy, DAP chief veterinary officer and a professor in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences' (VMBS) Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences. "Given that these are two of the most common breeds in the U.S., it is vital that both veterinarians and dog owners understand the diet management strategies necessary for achieving a healthy weight."
Environmental factors drive feeding behavior
The research identified additional risk factors for elevated food motivation, including urban living environments and multi-dog households. Dogs in cities and homes with multiple pets showed increased food-seeking behaviors, potentially due to reduced exercise opportunities and feeding convenience practices.
"It's likely that these factors influence the amount of exercise that dogs get in addition to their access to food," Creevy said. "Some dogs may seek food out of boredom, which may increase in environments where exercise and enrichment are less available. Additionally, owners with multiple dogs may choose certain feeding practices — including free feeding — out of convenience, which can lead to more food being available."
Veterinary assessment gaps identified
The study also revealed significant gaps in weight monitoring practices. Approximately one-third of veterinary medical records lacked body condition scores (BCS) within the previous year, despite BCS serving as the primary assessment tool for canine weight management.
Body condition scoring uses a nine-point scale, with veterinarians evaluating fat accumulation relative to body size through physical examination of areas like ribs and hips. A score of five indicates ideal body condition.
"A BCS plays a key role in helping veterinarians communicate with owners about their dog's weight, which is why we need to continue increasing use of these scores," Creevy said. "Studies have shown that owners of dogs that are active in sports are more likely to know how to assess BCS, which suggests that owner motivation may play a role in learning how to apply BCS to help their dogs maintain a healthy weight."
Industry implications
The findings could carry implications for pet food manufacturers developing breed-specific formulations and feeding guidelines. With half of U.S. dogs classified as overweight and sporting breeds representing significant market share, the research supports targeted nutritional approaches.
"Overweight dogs are prone to numerous health problems, including skin disease, diabetes, and arthritis," said Creevy. "It is imperative that veterinarians develop a better understanding of canine obesity and whether it may be linked to social, environmental, or demographic factors so that we can give every dog the best possible quality of life."
