Skip to content

Low Calorie Adult Food??

Basenji Feeding
  • Hello- I am bringing home a girl from BRAT that is overweight. What do you think is better, giving her smaller portions of normal food or a low calorie adult dog food? I have a 40lb bag of California Natural Low Cal Adult food that I purchased by accident (didnt realize it was the low cal bag, and that stuff isnt cheap!) and it is sitting in my pantry becuase Diego def. doesnt need low cal food! So now that she is coming home, I figured maybe she could eat it?? Anyone have an opinion on low cal food? Thanks in advance bc i dont know anything about low cal dog food!

  • I use the low cal food with a scoop of pumpkin…fills them up.
    They also love green beans.

  • sharron- if i am trying to have her loose a little weight and i use the low cal food should i just use the serving size on the bag?

  • I use 1/3 a cup level dry food and a scoop of pumpkin.
    I also try to get them out and walking, not easy with the weather being so crummy…
    All of us, around this house, dog and human seem to get rounder with winter..
    Sort of like Bears!

  • @sharronhurlbut:

    I use 1/3 a cup level dry food and a scoop of pumpkin.
    I also try to get them out and walking, not easy with the weather being so crummy…
    All of us, around this house, dog and human seem to get rounder with winter..
    Sort of like Bears!

    haha thats too funny! I agree though, we were just talking the other day how Diego looks like he's gained a pound or two! And I feel the same way!! and i'm with you on the weather, this Ohio weather we have is no fun! thanks for the food help!

  • I also meant to add I feed them 2 times a day.
    I found that one feeding makes them throw up the yellow bile.
    If they still don't lose weight, I cut it down to 1/4 cup, but that is really not a lot of food at all…they need a bit of round in the winter..imo.

  • Also, whatever brand of food she is eating now, should be included in and mixed in with the low cal food, adding it gradually. Also, if you've had the low cal food for some time, look at the expiration date on the bag - being careful not to serve spent food.

    Good luck and best wishes for a wonderful union for your whole family.

  • I never use the serving size they put on bags…ggg... I have found 99% of the time it is way to much... and mine (who are not over weight) get 1/4 cup twice a day mixed with veggies....
    Don't be surprised if she turns her nose up at things like veggies... if she is overweight, clearly it will not hurt her to miss a meal...ggg... and yes you can use the Sr food, but like was stated make sure you check the dates... as Natural food will go bad...
    Also you might want to have her thyroid checked if that has not been done already..

  • I don't know if you have ever had to diet, but once you get hungry, you will eat everything served and LIKE It…
    Otherwise, well, BURP...we bloom! lol!

  • thanks everyone! i'm sure the BRAT coordinator will tell me what food she is on and i can get a little bag to mix gradually.. im not sure if she has had her thyroid checked, but if she hasnt i'll have that done.. and as for the date on the food, i cant find anything.. its California Natural dry dog food.. anyone know the approx. shelf life?? i'm gonna send the company an email also..

  • As I remember (I used to use Calif Natural) I thought there was a produced date? And I would not use it if it was over 6 months old… but that is just me.... when I buy food I find the one with the newest date... I think it is Canidae that has a "use by" date and a production date...

  • i've only had it for about 3 mos. so i think it should be fine..

12/12

13 Dec 2007, 04:42

Suggested Topics

  • Food

    Basenji Feeding 19 Apr 2021, 22:18
    1 Votes
    18 Posts
    3k Views
    I would find out what he scared of or what he dislikes about the car. Is it the car itself, the sensation of being closed in, the movement when the car is being driven? Then work on whatever the problem is, with food. As for food, I use raw duck and vegetables. And I hand-feed all meals, so I never have a problem with not eating/partially eating. I would also recommend hand-feeding for anyone who does have a dog with food issues. Shredded chicken is good (as long as he doesn't have any reactions). But that and some kibble isn't a balanced meal. You may wish to look into a vitamin supplement, specifically something that has a focus on omega 3 (since chicken is high in omega 6), Vitamin C & the B vitamins (because if all he's eating is chicken and kibble, where is his source of vitamin C and the B vitamins?), zinc & copper (same reasons). All the best. EDIT: I just realized this thread is a year old and was bumped by what is almost certainly a bot.
  • 0 Votes
    11 Posts
    12k Views
    wow, read all through that facebook link you gave, so scary! thanks for the flag to be watched, definitely!
  • Dog food

    Basenji Feeding 6 Sept 2011, 01:43
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    18k Views
    I was feeding my Basenji brand blue and she started getting crystals in her kidneys. With the recommendation from my pet store owner (Pet Ranch), switched to Nature's Variety Instinct RAW. Withing 2 months…all crystals are gone. Now Basenji, Rotty, and Puppy Mastiff/Pitt all get Nature's Variety. Their coats are very shiney and teeth are so white.
  • Puppy Food

    Basenji Feeding 11 May 2011, 22:59
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    The biggest difference in most puppy foods and small breed foods is the fat and protein contents. I have one that needs the higher calories found in the small breed and puppy foods. If he has a sensitive stomach then you will need to transition very slowly to any new food and he may not transition to a new food.
  • Changing food

    Basenji Feeding 8 Dec 2009, 04:44
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    8k Views
    I would highly recommend the fish oil. As I stated before in a previous post, I put Zak on a grain free diet and added fish oil pills daily and a Cosequin DS (glucosamine & chondroitin) capsule sprinkled on his food each day for arthritis and he has not had a problem with arthritis since. There are foods with these supplements included, however, it is my understanding that they are just sprayed on the food. My vet had in the past suggested for my senior dogs at least 1000mg fish oil daily for cognitive health and the arthritis. For Zak and some early kidney disease he is showing she is recommending, and I have also read on line, 100mg fish oil per 10 lbs. of body weight (2500 mg daily). I don't think you're going to find the best level of fish oil supplement in a kibble. Oh, and his coat this year is sooooooooo soft! :)
  • Food Question

    Basenji Feeding 29 Sept 2009, 03:43
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    2k Views
    @agilebasenji: If you and your vet are happy with their weight, I would not change the amount you're feeding them. However, my pups need more calories in the winter to maintain their weight. Treats - my pups love sweet potatoes and raw (or cooked) zucchinis. sometimes dogs like green beans or carrots. at my house, tri-ing is really bad about taking the carrots, chewing them up and spitting them out all over the place. Yea, thanks Jet. Otherwise, they also like cheese, waffles, eggs, etc, but given you pup's allergies, you may not want to try the later. LOL…. leave it to the "Tri-ing" to make a mess out of the carrots!!!!