Can Weight Loss Help Short-Muzzled Dogs Breathe Easier?

Story by Camryn Haines, Ph.D., VMBS Marketing & Communications

April 6, 2026

A Texas A&M clinical trial is investigating whether shedding excess weight can measurably improve breathing in overweight brachycephalic breeds — and researchers are seeking participants to help answer the question.

Felicia Beswick’s two English bulldogs, 6-year-old Jax and 5-year-old Tun, couldn’t be more different.

“If you look at ‘Bulldog’ in the dictionary, it’s Jax; he’s just very, very stereotypical of the breed. He prefers to sit in judgment of everybody, and he’s allergic to exercise,” Beswick said. “Tun is a little Labrador in a Bulldog body; he wants to run and play. He has two switches — one is on 100% and one is asleep. There’s almost nothing in the middle.”

Despite their different temperaments and the fact that the two brothers both enjoy time outside, Beswick noticed that Jax, in particular, would struggle to keep up with his brother.

“Jax really, really wants to be in the sun all the time, but in Texas, it’s hard for him. He’d be just panting and panting and really has a hard time regulating his temperature,” she said. “We lived on an acre lot with a big hill and Jax really struggled walking up the hill.”

Beswick’s veterinarian confirmed that Jax was a little overweight, but she felt like she was doing all she could for him.

One day, however, a Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) social media post with a picture of a bulldog caught her eye. It turns out, that post was for a VMBS Small Animal Teaching Hospital clinical trial that was exploring the relationship between overweight brachycephalic dogs and their ability to breathe.

Initially a little skeptical, she ultimately decided that “it can’t hurt” and reached out. 

That step was the beginning of a journey for Jax, Tun, and Beswick, one that would offer a structured program and clear path forward for managing her dogs’ health.

Measuring What Owners Can’t See

Experiences like Beswick’s are common among owners of brachycephalic, or short-muzzled, dogs.

These dogs — including French bulldogs, English bulldogs, and pugs — are among the most popular breeds in the United States, but their distinctive faces often come with a hidden cost.

Because of their shortened skull structure, these “smushed-face” breeds are predisposed to narrowed airways that can make breathing more difficult. When excess weight is added to the equation, the strain on their respiratory system may increase even more.

“There are surgical interventions that can help these dogs, but there are things that haven’t really been looked into — especially for owners who can’t pursue every option,” said Dr. Braiden Blatt, a graduate assistant in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences. “That’s what led us to study weight loss and how it might affect their ability to breathe.”

Their study evaluates breathing function before and after weight loss using a non-invasive technique called whole-body barometric plethysmography. During the test, a dog rests inside a kennel placed within a sealed chamber — often referred to simply as “the box” — where sensitive equipment measures pressure changes as the dog breathes. Those changes allow researchers to calculate how much air is actually entering the lungs.

Dogs receive a clinical respiratory grade based on physical exams and exercise response. By comparing objective airflow measurements and clinical grades before and after weight loss, the team hopes to determine whether shedding pounds translates to measurable respiratory improvement.

Participants also work closely with the VMBS Veterinary Nutrition Service to develop a tailored weight-loss plan, which includes prescription weight-loss food. Owners check in monthly — often via Zoom — to report weight and submit photos, and researchers monitor progress to ensure dogs are losing fat while maintaining muscle.

To ensure safety, routine blood work helps rule out underlying conditions that could affect weight.

A Positive Transformation

When Jax and Tun enrolled in the study, both were significantly overweight. At the start of the program, Jax weighed 71 pounds, while Tun weighed 61.

With guidance from the nutrition team, Beswick committed to a structured feeding plan that included weighed meals, calculated treats, and consistent monitoring. While the process required some adjustments at first, she said it quickly became routine.

“Once we got the hang of it, it really wasn’t difficult,” Beswick said.

Tun has since completed the program, losing more than 10 pounds, while Jax has lost about 11 pounds and continues working toward his goal weight.

Already, the changes have been noticeable.

Jax, who once needed breaks during walks, now trots alongside his brother without stopping and runs down the hallway to greet the kids when they come home — something Beswick said she had never seen before.

In addition, his snoring, a trait Beswick once thought was normal and cute — but likely was connected to his being overweight — has decreased significantly, and he recovers much more quickly after activity.

“They still look like bulldogs,” Beswick said. “They just look like healthy bulldogs.”

Encouraging Early Results

Although the study is ongoing, early trends are promising. Four dogs have completed the program so far, and while the full dataset has not yet been analyzed, their owners report breathing improvement after weight loss.

Like Beswick, other owners have reported reduced snoring, increased exercise tolerance, and faster recovery following activity. Some also experienced improved gastrointestinal consistency while on the prescription diet.

Researchers caution that more data is needed, but they are encouraged by the consistency of owner-reported improvements.

Weight loss, they emphasize, may not replace surgery in every case — but understanding its measurable impact could provide another valuable tool for managing airway disease.

“What we’re seeing so far is encouraging, but we need more dogs in the study to really understand the impact,” Blatt said.

With enrollment still open, the team hopes to expand those early findings.

Seeking Participants

The study is currently enrolling overweight brachycephalic dogs of any age, including pure- and mixed-breed dogs.

Participating dogs receive comprehensive respiratory evaluations before and after weight loss and individualized nutrition plans developed by the VMBS Nutrition Service. Much of the follow-up can be completed remotely through monthly check-ins, and participants receive at-home collection kits for required samples, minimizing the need for frequent hospital trips.

Upon successful completion of the study, owners receive a $500 incentive that can be used toward preventive medications, continuation of the prescription weight-loss diet, or other Small Animal Teaching Hospital services. Participants also receive continued guidance after the program ends to help maintain a healthy weight long term.

Dogs currently on antibiotics must wait at least 30 days before participating, and because accurate breathing measurements require calm, steady respiration, dogs must be comfortable resting quietly in the testing chamber.

For Beswick, the experience has changed how she views her dogs’ health.

“It’s not about making them skinny,” she said. “It’s about making sure they can breathe and move comfortably for as long as possible.”

Owners interested in enrolling their dogs in the clinical trial can learn more about eligibility and enrollment through the VMBS clinical trial webpage or by contacting the team at betterbreathing@tamu.edu.

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For more information about the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216

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