Heavy Burden: How Obesity May Limit Healing in Dogs with Osteoarthritis

According to a 2022 survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 59% of American dogs were classified as overweight or obese. Yet, in a separate 2023 study, more than 80% of dog owners believed  their pets were at a healthy weight.

A dog is considered overweight if it weighs 10–20% more than its ideal body weight, and obese if it exceeds that by more than 20%. While it’s long been understood that excess weight can harm a dog’s health, recent research shows that even being moderately overweight—not necessarily obese—can reduce a dog’s lifespan by up to two years. 

Obesity increases the risk of numerous health issues, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoarthritis. The latter affects nearly 20 million dogs in the U.S. and is often underdiagnosed because it develops gradually and begins with subtle changes. Left unchecked, it can progress to significant discomfort, reduced mobility, and even lameness.

While it's well established that obesity can accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis as dogs age, researchers at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine are now asking a deeper question: Could excess weight also interfere with the effectiveness of advanced osteoarthritis treatments?

Historically, treatment for osteoarthritis has centered on managing pain—often with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). While helpful, these medications can cause side effects over time. In recent years, regenerative medicine—particularly therapies involving stem cells—has emerged as a promising alternative. Adipose (fat) tissue contains stem cells with the ability to develop into various cell types, making them valuable for repairing tissues, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing.

However, research in humans has shown that stem cells harvested from the fat tissue of overweight or obese individuals are less effective for regenerative therapies. Could the same be true for dogs?

That’s exactly what AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF)-funded investigators are working to uncover. By studying stem cells from lean, overweight, and obese dogs under laboratory conditions, they aim to understand how a dog’s weight may affect the therapeutic potential of regenerative treatments. This research is essential for refining best practices and improving outcomes for dogs suffering from osteoarthritis.

As the largest nonprofit funder of canine health research, CHF is dedicated to advancing science that leads to healthier, longer lives for all dogs. To learn more about this project and other impactful research, visit akcchf.org/research/our-research.