Published in The Journal of Nutrition, the 1998 study by **E. Kienzle**, **R. Bergler**, and **A. Mandernach** investigated the psychological and behavioral differences between owners of obese and normal-weight dogs. The research, conducted in former West Germany, compared 60 owners of obese dogs with 60 owners of lean dogs, analyzing how feeding behaviors, human-animal interactions, and personal habits affected canine weight status.
The findings revealed that owners of obese dogs more frequently allowed their dogs to sleep in their beds, talked to them about a wider range of topics, and were less concerned about disease transmission. These dogs were often treated not as typical pets but as “fellow humans”—a form of overhumanization that neglected their needs for physical activity and structure.
Feeding behaviors played a central role: owners of obese dogs gave more meals, more snacks, and were more likely to feed table scraps. Notably, 25% of these owners spent over half an hour daily simply watching their dogs eat, compared to just 10.6% among owners of normal-weight dogs. This pattern suggests that food was used as a form of emotional bonding, rather than nutrition alone.
Interestingly, despite common assumptions, the study found no correlation between feeding premium dog food and obesity. In fact, owners of obese dogs were more likely to buy cheaper supermarket food and place less importance on nutritional balance. The veterinarian remained the primary source of dietary information for both groups, although owners of lean dogs sought guidance more proactively.
This study highlights the risks of anthropomorphizing dogs to the point where their physical and nutritional needs are compromised. It suggests a need for targeted education and emotional guidance for owners, especially in managing feeding as both a practical and relational act.
Source: Kienzle, E., Bergler, R., & Mandernach, A. (1998). A comparison of the feeding behavior and the human-animal relationship in owners of normal and obese dogs. The Journal of Nutrition, 128(12 Suppl), 2779S–2782S. Presented at the Waltham International Symposium on Pet Nutrition and Health in the 21st Century. Guest editors: Ivan Burger (Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition) and D’Ann Finley (University of California, Davis). https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/128.12.2779S
