Detection of owner-perceived emotional eating in companion dogs: A regression modelling approach

Luño I. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Muniesa A. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Palacio J. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; García-Belenguer S. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Rosado B. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Background: Emotional eating has been largely demonstrated in humans and laboratory rodents, but a recent survey conducted by the authors revealed that dog owners have also detected this phenomenon in their pets. However, due to the lack of diagnostic tools, veterinarians and researchers might encounter serious difficulties in detecting emotional eating in clinical settings. The present study aimed to explore different variables associated with owner perceived-emotional eating in companion dogs with the ultimate goal of designing a tool that could facilitate its detection. Methods: The mentioned survey included information on feeding habits, eating behaviour, temperament and emotional state of the dogs, as well as a specific question for assessing the owners'' perception on emotional eating. From these data (n = 1137), a stochastic model based on binary logistic regression was used to design a regression model. Results and conclusion: The final model (r2 = 0.179, p < 0.001) included a constant and nine variables and, of these, five did act as risk factors whereas the rest were considered as protective factors, in line with a congruent clinical perception. These variables could make up an easy-to-respond nine-item checklist to be answered by dog owners that could help veterinarians identify those companion dogs susceptible to emotional eating. © 2021 British Veterinary Association

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1002/vetr.63

Año: 2021

Publicado en: Veterinary Record 189, 2 (2021), [8 pp]
ISSN: 0042-4900

Factor impacto JCR: 2.56 (2021)

Categ. JCR: VETERINARY SCIENCES rank: 34 / 145 = 0.234 (2021) - Q1 - T1

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 1.9 - Veterinary (Q2) - Medicine (Q3)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.401 - Veterinary (miscellaneous) (Q2) - Medicine (miscellaneous) (Q2)

Tipo y forma: Artículo (PostPrint)

Área (Departamento): Área Sanidad Animal (Dpto. Patología Animal)
Área (Departamento): Área Medicina y Cirugía Animal (Dpto. Patología Animal)