A new study found that overweight dogs walking with the TrimDog Weight Belt were more likely to lose weight than those that walked and didn’t wear the belt.
The randomized clinical trial was conducted by Michele Rohrer, DVM, of Atlantic Animal Hospital in Wilmington, N.C.
Other studies have shown that humans walking with a weighted vest can increase the metabolic response and result in a greater weight loss than those who do not wear such a vest when walking. Dr. Rohrer conducted a similar study in dogs with TrimDog’s belt product.
Rohrer’s study included 12 canines, aged 2-10 years, all classified as overweight. The dogs were randomized into two groups: canines that walk with the TrimDog Weight Belt and canines that walk without it.
The owners were instructed to walk five times per week for 30 minutes a walk at a brisk pace, for a total of eight weeks. All participants were instructed to make no changes to their existing diets during this period.
Weigh-ins were conducted at Atlantic Animal Hospital prior to the start of the study, at week four and upon completion of the study.
The weight of the belt was determined by the size of the canine. Sizing of each canine is specific to the circumference of the canine through the torso, specifically at the inferior costraphrenic angle of the rib cage, according to Rohrer.
The breakdown of sizes:
• X-Small: canines measuring 7-10 inches. Total belt weight = 7 ounces (3-ounce weights on each side and the belt itself weighing one ounce).
• Small: canines measuring 11-16 inches. Total belt weight = also 7 ounces.
• Medium: canines measuring 17-24 inches. Total belt weight = 11 ounces.
• Large: canines measuring 25-32 inches. Total belt weight = 16 ounces.
After eight weeks, dogs that walked with the TrimDog Weight Belt lost an average of 4 percent of bodyweight, according to the study. Dogs that walked without the belt lost an average of 1 percent of bodyweight.
A follow up study involving 24 canines will incorporate dogs walking with the belt in conjunction with a diet plan, according to Ike Kinlaw, developer and founder of TrimDog. The study was slated to begin by the end of January. <HOME>
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