Sorghum is a source of complex carbohydrates that have slow digestion and can contribute to the reduction of body weight by maintaining prolonged satiety. This study aimed to evaluate the use of diets based on corn, sorghum and maize: sorghum in reducing body weight in dogs previously induced to overweight. Thirty-six dogs were distributed in a completely randomized design in a factorial 3x2x2: three combinations of carbohydrates - corn (60% - DM), sorghum (60% - DS) and corn: sorghum (30:30% - DMS); two breeds - Beagle (RBE) and Daschund (RDA) and two sex. Dogs RBE and RDA had an average weight reduction of approximately 1.52±0.76kg and 0.97±0.62kg, respectively (P<0.05). Males (10.46±4.46kg) were heavier than females (9.24±3.76kg) (P<0.05). However, the average body condition score (BCS) did not differ between males and females (P>0.05). Significant effect of race and diet on body mass index (IMCC) (P<0.05). Dogs RBE and RDA showed reduction on IMCC by 11 and 18%, respectively (P<0.05). It was observed that the dogs fed with DM showed higher IMCC compared to the other (P<0.05). The IMCC reduction ranged from 1.48, 3.29 and 2.75 for diets DM, DS and DMS (P<0.05), which represented approximately 9.25%, 19.26 and 16.65%, respectively, from initial IMCC (P<0.05). In conclusion, the diet influences the IMCC but not affect body weight. The race is a determining factor on the IMCC. In both sexes, there are no significant difference in body weight between treated DM, DS or DMS
corn; nutrition; obesity; sorghum
