Being overweight in dogs is not just a matter of appearance: it is a aggravating factor in joint disorders, documented by several leading veterinary studies. By reducing your dog's weight and implementing a few good practices, you can significantly improve his mobility and comfort.
Why does being overweight worsen joint problems?
Increased mechanical load on the joints
Every extra kilo puts a direct strain on the animal's locomotor structures. This overload increases pressure on the hips, elbows, knees (stifles) and increases the wear of articular cartilage. In the study by Kealy et al. (2000), Labradors fed ad libitum developed signs of osteoarthritis 2 years earlier than their peers who received a 25% restricted ration. At the age of 8, 43% of overfed dogs had osteoarthritis, against only 10% in the restricted group.
Conclusion : simply limiting weight gain slows the onset of joint problems.
Systemic inflammation linked to adipose tissue
Le fatty tissue (adipose) is not passive. It secretes pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), or leptin. These molecules maintain a chronic inflammatory state, accelerating the degradation of articular cartilage and reducing its regenerative capacity.
German's (2006) article describes in detail this correlation between obesity, inflammation, and joint degradation. He specifies in particular that this systemic inflammation is present even in the absence of visible clinical signs of osteoarthritis, making it a silent but active factor.
Conclusion : In an overweight dog, joint inflammation may be present even before visible symptoms appear.
A reduction in physical activity… which worsens excess weight
Joint discomfort limits movement, which reduces energy costs and promotes the accumulation of fat mass. This is called a vicious circle : overweight → joint pain → less activity → even more overweight.
This dynamic was highlighted in the study by Vincent et al. (2023), which recommends a early and multimodal support including both weight loss, physical rehabilitation and targeted nutritional support.
Conclusion : interrupting this cycle with a holistic approach is the key to lasting improvement.
How do you know if your dog is affected?
Assess the Body Condition Score (BCS)
Le Body Condition Score (BCS) is a visual and tactile tool, rated from 1 to 9. A dog in good condition has a score of 4 or 5/9. From 6/9, we talk about overweight; beyond 7, obesity.
Most owners do not detect their dog's overweight on their own., because they got used to his appearance.
Simple signs:
- You can no longer clearly feel his ribs under your fingers.
- Its size is no longer marked when viewed from above.
- He moves slowly, is reluctant to run, or avoids stairs.
What to do if your dog is overweight with limited mobility?
Lose weight: clinically proven improvement
In a study by Marshall et al. (2010), Labradors with osteoarthritis underwent a 16-week weight loss program. Result:
- Average loss of 6,1% of body weight
- Significant improvement in lameness index
- Decreased signs of pain during exertion, according to vets AND owners
This study demonstrates that weight loss alone is enough to improve mobility, even without further treatment.
Recommended objective : aim for a loss of 1% per week, under veterinary supervision, thanks to:
- A light veterinary diet
- Controlled portions
- Stopping extra calories
Reintroduce appropriate physical activity
Exercise remains essential for maintaining muscles, supporting joints and restarting weight loss.
Recommendations include:
- Short, frequent walks (on grass or soft ground)
- OfHydrotherapy (walking in the pool or aquatic treadmill), which limits joint impact while strengthening the muscles
- Follow-up by a veterinary physiotherapist to adapt the exercises to each case
These approaches allow a gradual resumption of movement, without pain or trauma.
For further : Dog osteoarthritis: what are alternative medicines really worth?
Supporting mobility with targeted nutrition
The intake of certain nutrients contributes to reduce joint discomfort :
- long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA) have a anti-inflammatory effect proven. They reduce cytokine production, improve joint lubrication, and slow cartilage degradation.
- The clinical trial relayed on DVM360 shows that arthritic dogs supplemented with marine extracts rich in Omega-3 (notably green mussel and fish oil) saw their signs of discomfort significantly decrease after 6 weeks.
Conclusion : a well-chosen supplement does not replace weight loss, but usefully accompanies it.
For further : Diet and osteoarthritis: 5 pillars for your dog's comfort
PERNIXOL® : simple and natural support for dogs lacking mobility
PERNIXOL® is a liquid food supplement developed by the SENSILIA Laboratory. It combines:
- OfNew Zealand green lipped mussel oil, extracted by supercritical CO₂, naturally rich in EPA, DHA
- OfSchizochytrium sp. algal oil, a sustainable and concentrated source of DHA
PERNIXOL® easily integrates into the daily diet to support dogs prone to decreased mobility or joint problems related to age or being overweight.
Bibliography
- Kealy RD et al. (2000). Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. JAVMA, 216(7):1089-1091.
- German AJ (2006). A review of osteoarthritis and obesity: Current understanding and benefit of obesity treatment in the dog. ResearchGate.
- Vincent IC, Cowderoy E et al. (2023). Multimodal management of canine osteoarthritis. Front Vet Sci, 10:1275964.
- Marshall WG et al. (2010). Impact of weight loss on lameness in obese dogs with osteoarthritis. J Small Anim Pract, 51(10):570-576.
- DVM360. Clinical trial shows promising results for canine osteoarthritis treatment.
- Rialland P. et al. (2017). Outcome measures for canine OA trials: a systematic review. The Veterinary Journal, 222:1–9.
