Overweight and obese dogs are no laughing matter, yet 1 in 4 owners ignore their vets' concerns about their pet's weight. (Photo by Krakenimages.com on Shutterstock)

More Than Half Of Dogs In The U.S. Are Overweight, But Many Owners Look Past The Problem In A Nutshell

A study of nearly 14,000 dogs found that certain breeds, especially sporting dogs like Labs and Goldens, are genetically more food-motivated.

Food motivation scores were significantly linked to overweight status, with urban and multi-dog households also contributing.

Owners of overweight dogs often implement management strategies after weight gain, not before.

Nearly 1 in 4 owners underestimated their dog’s weight, highlighting a gap in awareness and veterinary communication.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers have long been viewed as America’s favorite family dogs, but, as it turns out, they’re also the most likely to beg, steal, and scheme their way to extra meals. A study tracking nearly 14,000 dogs across the United States reveals that certain breeds are hardwired to be food-obsessed, making them prime candidates for obesity.

The research, published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, found that sporting dogs like Labs and Goldens scored highest on “food motivation” measures, meaning they’re more likely to scavenge for scraps, beg persistently, and never seem satisfied after meals. Even more troubling: many dog owners have no idea their beloved companions are overweight, with 24% disagreeing with professional veterinary assessments, usually underestimating their dogs’ weight problems.

More than half of American dogs are now overweight, creating health problems that mirror our own obesity epidemic. Overweight dogs face diabetes, arthritis, kidney disease, and shortened lifespans. These are serious consequences that make understanding food motivation crucial for pet owners.

Which Dog Breeds Are Most Food Motivated

Researchers from Texas A&M University analyzed data from the Dog Aging Project, having dog owners complete detailed questionnaires about their pets’ eating behaviors. Questions covered whether dogs act starving after meals, beg constantly, or attempt food theft.

These responses created “food motivation scores” from 0 to 100, with higher numbers indicating more food-driven behavior. Sporting dogs averaged scores 10.2 points higher than mixed-breed dogs, while hound breeds scored 5.3 points higher. Non-sporting breeds like Bulldogs and Poodles actually showed less food motivation, scoring 4.1 points below average.

The breed differences have a genetic basis. Previous research identified a specific genetic mutation in Labrador and Flat-Coated Retrievers that increases appetite and obesity risk. Lab owners who’ve watched their dogs inhale entire bags of kibble now have scientific validation for what they’ve long suspected.

Dogs in multi-dog households also showed higher food motivation, scoring 3.56 points above single dogs. Competition for resources creates feeding frenzies that many pet owners recognize. Urban dogs displayed more food drive than rural ones, possibly due to different exercise opportunities or stress levels.

The massive study shows why some breeds are always hungry, and why owners often miss signs of obesity.(© Willee Cole – stock.adobe.com) Why Managing Overweight Dogs Is So Difficult

Here’s where the story takes an unexpected turn: owners of overweight dogs actually scored higher on management practices. They were more likely to control portions, restrict treats, and implement exercise routines. At first glance, this seems backwards; shouldn’t better management prevent weight problems?

The explanation reveals a common pattern. These management efforts typically begin after weight gain has already occurred, rather than preventing it. Owners react to existing problems instead of proactively managing their dogs’ weight, similar to someone who starts counting calories only after gaining 20 pounds.

Breaking established eating patterns becomes challenging once habits form. Dogs accustomed to begging successfully or finding extra food sources won’t easily accept new restrictions, especially breeds genetically programmed for high food motivation.

Why Dog Owners Miss Weight Problems

When researchers compared owner assessments to veterinary records for 200 dogs, they discovered disagreement in nearly a quarter of cases. Most commonly, owners believed their overweight dogs were perfectly healthy.

Only 61% of veterinary records contained recent body condition scores, revealing gaps in professional monitoring. Many weight problems likely go unaddressed during routine veterinary visits, compounding the issue.

The emotional bond between owners and pets creates the same blind spots affecting parents of overweight children. Love can literally cloud vision when it comes to objectively assessing a companion’s body condition. Owners may also lack education about what healthy weight looks like across different breeds and body types.

Practical Solutions for Food-Motivated Dogs

For owners of Labs, Goldens, and other high-motivation breeds, extra vigilance becomes essential. These dogs may require stricter portion control, structured feeding schedules, and creative strategies to satisfy food drive without expanding waistlines.

While not specifically studied in this research, veterinarians commonly recommend puzzle feeders to force dogs to work for meals, satisfying foraging instincts while slowing consumption. Multiple smaller meals throughout the day can help food-motivated dogs feel satisfied without increasing total calories. Regular veterinary monitoring and honest weight discussions become even more critical for high-risk breeds.

The parallels between canine and human obesity epidemics extend beyond genetics to include environmental factors and behavioral patterns. Both involve denial about problem severity and require sustained lifestyle changes for successful management.

Understanding canine food motivation offers insights into eating behaviors generally. The genetic component in certain breeds demonstrates that food drive isn’t simply about willpower — biology plays a fundamental role. For millions of dog owners facing those irresistible puppy dog eyes during dinner, this research provides both explanation and warning: that innocent begging behavior stems from genuine genetic programming, but consistently giving in carries serious health consequences.

Disclaimer: This article is based on peer-reviewed research published. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian regarding your pet’s health and nutrition.

Paper Summary Methodology

Researchers analyzed data from 13,890 dogs enrolled in the Dog Aging Project between 2019 and 2021. Dog owners completed standardized questionnaires including the Dog Obesity Risk and Appetite (DORA) survey, which measures food motivation and owner feeding management practices on percentage scales. Food motivation scores were based on dogs’ food responsiveness, satiety levels, pickiness, and interest in food. Owner management scores reflected dietary control efforts like portion control, treat restriction, and exercise for weight control. For a subset of 200 dogs, researchers also extracted veterinary body condition scores from medical records to compare with owner-reported assessments.

Results

Dogs with higher food motivation scores were significantly more likely to be overweight, with each percentage point increase associated with 1.7% higher odds of being overweight. Owners of overweight dogs showed more intensive feeding management practices. Sporting breeds (primarily Labs and Golden Retrievers) had the highest food motivation scores, followed by hounds, while non-sporting breeds scored lowest. Dogs in multi-dog households had higher food motivation than single dogs. Urban dogs showed higher food motivation than rural dogs. Owner and veterinary weight assessments disagreed in 24% of cases, with owners typically underreporting overweight status.

Limitations

The study relied primarily on owner-reported dog weight status rather than professional veterinary assessments, which may have led to underreporting of overweight conditions. Body condition scores were only available for a small subset of dogs and could have been recorded up to a year before the survey, potentially creating timing mismatches. The study’s cross-sectional design cannot establish causal relationships between food motivation and weight status. Some breed groups had unequal representation, and the effect of spay/neuter status wasn’t analyzed due to small numbers of intact dogs.

Funding and Disclosures

This research was funded by the National Institute on Aging (U19 grant No. AG057377), with additional support from the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research, the Tiny Foundation Fund at Myriad Canada, and the WoodNext Foundation. Individual researchers received various NIH grants. The authors reported no conflicts of interest and stated that no AI-assisted technologies were used in manuscript preparation.

Publication Information

“Food motivation and owner feeding management practices are associated with overweight among Dog Aging Project participants” was published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research in 2025. The study was conducted by researchers from Texas A&M University, Augusta University, University of Washington, and Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, with corresponding author Dr. Kate E. Creevy at Texas A&M University.