Scientists have learned a lot about what happens to the human body as we age. But there’s still much to learn about how other species age, including dogs. Even carrying extra weight could affect a dog’s cognitive health. Alexandra Genualdi, a student at Oklahoma State University, who presented her research at the American Physiological Society’s 2026 Comparative Physiology conference, talks about her efforts to learn more.

Q: What is your research trying to uncover?

A: We wanted to understand whether carrying extra body weight affects the health and well-being of canine companion animals, specifically golden retrievers.

Using data from the Morris Animal Foundation Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, we compared dogs with healthy, overweight and obese body condition scores and looked at their risk of disease, physical activity and cognitive function.

Q: What did you find?

A: Obese dogs were more than twice as likely to develop several potentially serious health problems compared with dogs at a healthy weight, including endocrine diseases, osteoarthritis and cruciate ligament injuries. Obese dogs were less physically active, and they showed greater evidence of cognitive decline, especially as they aged.

Q: How can you tell if a dog is experiencing cognitive decline?

A: Veterinarians and scientists track disorientation, changes in social interactions, memory loss and mental decline in older dogs by asking questions like “Does your dog get lost in familiar places?” “Does your dog fail to recognize family members or other pets?” and “How often does your dog experience restlessness or pacing at night?” Changes in housetraining, such as an increase in indoor accidents, can also be a sign of cognitive decline.

Q: What is a healthy weight for a golden retriever?

A: As with any animal, an appropriate body weight for a golden retriever depends on factors such as overall size, age and sex. In general, a full-grown male would typically weigh around 65 to 75 pounds, while a female would generally weigh approximately 10 pounds less.

Q: What can dog owners do if their dog needs to lose weight?

A: Pet owners can work with their veterinarian to determine an appropriate target weight and develop a safe weight-loss plan focused on gradual, sustainable changes in both diet and activity. This may include carefully measuring food portions, specialized diets and, as hard as it might be, limiting treats and table scraps.

Daily walks, play, swimming or other activities that are appropriate for the dog’s age, fitness level and physical abilities can help dogs burn calories and maintain activity.

Q: Will losing weight improve cognitive health once an overweight dog has started showing symptoms?

A: We do not know for sure yet about dogs. But we do know in humans, losing weight and being more active delays the progression of cognitive decline.

Q: What’s the most important thing you want people to understand about your study?

A: The goal is not simply to make an overweight dog weigh less, but to help maintain a healthy body condition, stay active and preserve mobility and quality of life as our “best friends” age.