Canine obesity: is there a difference between veterinarian and owner perception?
OBJECTIVE
The overall aim of this study was to examine the nature of the relationship between dog-ownership and canine obesity, explored in two cohorts of overweight/obese or non-overweight dogs (n=125). This paper concentrates on the owners' perception of dog weight.


METHODS
A researcher-mediated questionnaire was used to collect data from dog owners attending a small veterinary practice. Interviewees (n=121) were asked qualitative and quantitative questions, designed to examine the owners' views of their relationship with their dogs.


RESULTS
Although a high proportion of owners claimed to have discussed the dog's weight with their veterinarian, some discrepancies were apparent between owner perception of animal weight and the veterinarian's evaluation of body condition score. Owner disagreement was significantly greater for the veterinarian-defined overweight dogs (P=0·005). Owners often provide personal narratives to account for their dog's weight status.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the important role of the vet in providing information about the issue of dog weight but also suggests that providing verbal information is sometimes insufficient. The study also indicates the potential value of qualitative research methods to further understand client perception of complex animal care issues and highlights the need for further in-depth research.
University of Nottingham, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, Leicestershire.
G A
GA
White
P
P
Hobson-West
K
K
Cobb
J
J
Craigon
R
R
Hammond
K M
KM
Millar
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010067:Ownership; D010465:Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D018634:Veterinarians / Q000523:psychology*