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Impact of feeding method on overall activity of indoor, client‐owned dogs
Author(s) -
Su D. K.,
Murphy M.,
Hand A.,
Zhu X.,
WitzelRollins A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of small animal practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1748-5827
pISSN - 0022-4510
DOI - 10.1111/jsap.13003
Subject(s) - medicine , crossover study , body weight , physical activity , physical therapy , activity monitor , zoology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , alternative medicine , pathology , biology , placebo
Objective To compare the total daily activity time, walking time and running time using food‐dispensing toys versus bowls in a group of client‐owned, primarily indoor dogs. Materials and Methods A two‐way, two period, randomised repeated measures mixed‐effects crossover study performed on 26 client‐owned, primarily indoor dogs. Results Toy feeding increased average daily total activity time by 12% and walking time by 26%. Average daily total activity time and walking time were reduced by 8 and 7% respectively with each increase in year of age. Gender, body condition and muscle condition had no significant effect on average daily total activity or walking time. Toy feeding, time, their interaction, age, gender, body condition and muscle condition had no significant effect on average daily running time. Clinical Significance Feeding toys may be helpful during weight loss programs to achieve the goal of increasing daily exercise duration in dogs that need to lose weight.