2018 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program: Seattle, Washington, June 14 - 15, 2018

Thirty naturally obese dogs with BCS of 9 were randomized into two groups based on MERs, body weight, and % body fat. Dogs in the CCR group were fed 75% of their baseline MERs for 6 months, while the dogs in the ICR group were fed with the repeats of 75% baseline MERs for one week, and then 100% baseline MERs for one week for 6 months. Then, the caloric restriction in both groups was adjusted to 65% of baseline MERs for 2 additional months. ICR and CCR led to similar % body fat at the end of the study (35.40%± 1.38 vs 33.89% ± 1.52, p > 0.05). Dogs in the CCR group significantly (p = 0.0005) lowered their post-weight loss MERs by 17.92% compared with their baseline MERs. However, dogs in the ICR group numerically increased their post-weight loss MERs by 3.43% (p = 0.08). Obesity and diabetes are leading nutrition-related disorders among pets in North America and have significant impacts on animal morbidity and mortality. The glycemic index (GI), a measure of post-prandial blood glucose response, has been shown in humans to significantly impact glucose control, insulin sensitivity, weight management, and chronic disease risk.