# Exploring Cardiorespiratory Resilience and Mobility as Indicators of Physical Fitness Under Individualised Therapy Intervals in Obese Dogs

## TL;DR

Overweight dogs who lose weight through therapy show improved physical fitness, including better heart rate and mobility, which helps their long-term health.

## Contribution

This study demonstrates that weight loss in obese dogs leads to measurable improvements in cardiorespiratory resilience and mobility parameters.

## Key findings

- Dogs lost an average of 15.26% of their body weight during therapy.
- Weight loss was associated with lower heart rates, lactate levels, and improved gait symmetry.
- Force distribution shifted toward the pelvic limbs after weight loss.

## Abstract

Obesity is one of the most common health problems in pet dogs and can greatly reduce their quality of life, increase the risk of many diseases, and shorten their lifespan. This study examined whether helping overweight dogs lose weight would also improve their physical fitness, meaning how well their bodies cope with activity and exercise. Thirteen overweight dogs took part in a weight-loss therapy that provided an individually calculated low-energy diet along with regular support and guidance for the owners. Before and after the therapy, the dogs completed a treadmill test, and their movement was measured to assess how their bodies responded to exercise. On average, the dogs lost a meaningful amount of body weight and showed clear improvements during the fitness test, such as lower heart rates and lower levels of physical stress after activity. These results show that weight loss not only makes dogs leaner but also helps them move more easily and cope better with exercise, which is valuable for their long-term well-being.

Obesity in dogs is an increasing health and animal welfare problem as it is associated with numerous secondary diseases and reduced life span. While the causes and consequences of obesity are well documented, the change in cardiorespiratory resilience and mobility parameters in addition to weight loss has rarely been studied. The aim of this study was to analyse the change effects during individualised obesity therapy intervals in accordance with the current state of research on canine obesity and on physical fitness. In a prospective single-arm, non-randomised study without a control arm, 13 obese dogs (Body condition score (BCS) ≥ 7/9) were included. To assess mobility, a submaximal fitness test and gait analysis on a treadmill were performed before and after therapy. The dogs reduced their body weight by 15.26 ± 4.99%. After weight loss, the dogs showed statistically significantly lower heart rates and lactate values, as well as higher pCO2 and bicarbonate values as indicators of cardiorespiratory resilience. Concerning parameters of mobility, statistically significant changes in the absolute forces and the asymmetrical force distribution were found. The force distribution between the thoracic and pelvic limbs showed a shift towards the pelvic limbs and the symmetry index of the pelvic limbs was lower. The data collected in this study showed how body weight in obese dogs, but also physical fitness parameters change during therapy intervals. The results of this study provide effect sizes to implement standardised submaximal fitness tests and gait analysis as tools for objective monitoring of therapy progress in future studies.