Practice Scenario
Meet JAX
A 12-week-old, male, purebred Jack Russell Terrier puppy
- Jax is presented at the clinic for physical examination and additional puppyhood vaccinations.
- Jax is the first puppy — and first dog — for this owner, who would like recommendations on feeding and caring for him.
- The owner is currently feeding a dry puppy food mixed with warm water, as recommended by the breeder who sold the puppy.
Puppy & Adult Dog
Puppies and Adult Dogs: The Importance of Staying Lean
Maintaining a lean body condition from puppyhood throughout the dog’s life is associated with increased longevity and delayed onset of signs of chronic disease including orthopedic diseases, diabetes mellitus, and certain types of cancer.
Key Messages
- Studies show the benefits of maintaining a lean, healthy body condition:
- A 14-year study in Labrador Retrievers (the Purina Life Span Study) showed that dogs fed to a lean body condition had a lower frequency of hip dysplasia as young adults, and lower prevalence and severity of osteoarthritis, delayed onset of chronic disease, and an increased median life span.
- A more recent study across 12 different dog breeds (small, medium and large breeds) found overweight body condition to be associated with a shorter life span.
- Prevention of obesity is crucial, as obese puppies are at greater risk of becoming obese adults.
- Feeding puppies to a lean body condition helps them to stay lean in the long term. Over-nutrition early in life results in an increased number of adipocytes (fat cells) and a higher total body fat in adulthood.
- Regular exercise aids in the achievement of energy balance, supports normal muscle development, and enhances the human/animal bond. Daily running, walking, playing, swimming or retrieving for 20-40 minutes is adequate for most dogs.
"Keeping dogs lean from puppyhood and throughout their lives adds more healthy years."
Related Tools and Content:
The Purina Body Condition System
The Purina Body Condition System is an easy and practical tool for assessing a pet's body composition.
How to Perform a Body Condition Assessment - Dog
Assess a dog's Body Condition Score in just 3 simple steps.
Effects of Diet Restriction on Life Span and Age-Related Changes in Dogs
See results from the 14-Year Purina Life Span Study.
Evaluation of the Effect of Limited Food Consumption on Radiographic Evidence of Osteoarthritis in Dogs
See results from the 14-Year Purina Life Span Study.
Five-Year Longitudinal Study on Limited Food Consumption and Development of Osteoarthritis in Coxofemoral Joints of Dogs
See results from the 14-Year Purina Life Span Study.
Key Purina Life Span Study Publications
See a list of additional key publications from the 14-Year Purina Life Span Study.
To Share With Pet Owner:
Evaluating Your Dog’s Body Condition
Assess your dog's Body Condition in just 3 simple steps.
Additional Resources
Case, L. P., Daristotle, L., Hayek, M. G., & Raasch, M. F. (2011). Canine and feline nutrition: A resource for companion animal professionals (3rd ed.). Mosby. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-323-06619-8.10025-8
Laflamme, D. P. (2012). Obesity in dogs and cats: What is wrong with being fat? Journal of Animal Science, 90, 1653–1662. doi: 10.2527/jas.2011-4571
Salt, C., Morris, P. J., Wilson, D., Lund, E. M., & German, A. J. (2019). Association between life span and body condition in neutered client-owned dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 33, 89–99. doi: 10.1111/jvim.15367
Kealy, R. D., Lawler, D. F., Ballam, J. M., Mantz, S. L., Biery, D. N., Greeley, E. H., Lust, G., Segre, M., Smith, G. K., & Stowe, H. D. (2002). Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 220(9), 1315–1320. doi: 10.2460/javma.2002.220.1315