What is the best weight for my Basenji?
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I give him about 3 spoonfuls of wet rabbit food and 2 handfuls of dry twice a day
I wonder, why the wet rabbit food?
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He's allergic to chicken. Not "rabbit food", i mean the meat rabbit.
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As long as she looks good and is good health, then the weight doesn't matter. Every Basenji is different depending on their body style, bone mass, etc… that is why even in the standard it is an "approx" weight.... Of course I don't agree with free feeding, but as we have discussed that is a personal choice...
The best way to judge proper weight is by the condition of the Basenji... they should have a "waist", they should have a tuckup, the ribs should be felt easily when standing still and if they are running, you should see the outline of the ribs... -
Okay, I am still learning… what is a "tuckup"?
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Of course I don't agree with free feeding, but as we have discussed that is a personal choice…
Do you think it would be better if took away her unfinished food and put it back down in the evening???
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My personal opinion is YES, the food should be given for a limited time, like 15 minutes (mine finish in under 2 minutes…ggg, even my girl that has renal failure still eats in under 5 minutes, even with her limited appetite)... and I always know immediately when one of them is not feeling well, left over food after a couple of minutes = a Basenji that is not feeling well.... Also as previously noted it makes a different is "potty" habits.. eating all day means going potty all day.....
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Okay, I am still learning… what is a "tuckup"?
If you look at your Basenji from a side view, note the bottom of the chest (just behind the front legs) and trace a line to the front of the hind legs. Should look like a side ways "S" with no tail on the end of the "S"…. so the first "U" of the "S" would fit around the chest and then the second "U" of the "S" would fit under the waist/loins....
Make any sense? -
Hmmm… interesting, the only time Bella has ever finished eating in under five minutes is when I have mixed in wet food. About the "potty" issues, well… she goes usually once a day... I'll give it some thought, though.
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The best way to judge proper weight is by the condition of the Basenji… they should have a "waist", they should have a tuckup, the ribs should be felt easily when standing still and if they are running, you should see the outline of the ribs...
Yep, she definately has a waist, a tuckup, and I can feel her ribs when standing. I don't see a bony, ribby (skinny) appearance to her. I will have to observe her when running later.
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They really are beautiful creatures, aren't they!
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Again, as far as free feeding, it is a personal choice, just not one that I would do…. and of course having more then one free feeding is not even a consideration even if I wanted to....
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Bella had her yearly checkup at the vet last week. Her weight was 18lbs. >>She is 1 1/2 years old and eats 1 cup of dry Canidae a day.
Jazzy is 2 yrs and weighs 21 lbs. It seems to me that she's weighed that since she was about 1 yr old. Funny how the time goes by and everything blends in together.
She gets 1 1/4 cup of food a day, 3/4 in the AM, 1/2 in the PM. Plus treats during the day. She is NOT an active Basenji, though.She's been getting more treats since Keoki moved in. He gets a treat for going potty…. Jazzy and Gypsy get a treat...... he is learning to come to the clicker.... Jazzy and Gypsy come to the clicker.... and so on. LOL
and I always know immediately when one of them is not feeling well, left over food after a couple of minutes = a Basenji that is not feeling well…. ....
OR, it means that they are pouting because a new baby moved in. LOL
Jazzy was off her food for several days after Keoki moved in. Once they got to be friends – well, friendlier anyway -- she started back to eating just fine. Of my three dogs, she is still the slowest eater. -
And just one more point on free feeding, I don't think it is healthly for them… you would not let your children "free feed", you expect that they eat meals when given to them?... and dogs are not "grazing animals" by nature like a horse or cattle....
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OR, it means that they are pouting because a new baby moved in. LOL
Jazzy was off her food for several days after Keoki moved in. Once they got to be friends – well, friendlier anyway -- she started back to eating just fine. Of my three dogs, she is still the slowest eater.Oh for sure a change in the house will bring changes in eating habits… in my house, my boys are the slowest eaters...ggggg
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Oh for sure a change in the house will bring changes in eating habits… in my house, my boys are the slowest eaters...ggggg
Yep - I used to free feed Duke. When I knew I was getting Daisy, I stopped doing that and fed him twice a day, AM and PM. When Daisy came in the house, he gobbled up his food so Daisy wouldn't get it. Lately, last month or so, he waits until Daisy is done gobbling up her food and waits until he see's Daisy wandering up to his bowl. That is his new game! He rushes to his food and growls and threatens her to go away. Then he'll lay down in front of the bowl and pick away one kibble at a time. He's so strange . . . :D
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I think 18lbs is just fine for a smallish female. I think our smallest girl (Luna) is about 18lbs. And our tallest girl (Bella) is about 20lbs. Our fattest girl (Blondie) is also about 20lbs, but much shorter than Bella. Our girls fluctuate throughout the year by about 1/2 a pound. Querk has been known to fluctuate by up to 2 lbs. I like to keep them pretty thin, though…except for Blondie...always fighting the bulge....
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My baby girl is 1yr. 4mos. and she weighs between 21-22lbs most of the time. She is rather tall for a girl I think and is a perfect size, she has the waist and tuck up. My hubby says he can see her ribs but we had rather have her no more than 22 lbs. b/c they are prone to hip problems. I only see her ribs when like you say she is running, and boy does she like to run. I think I am going to get her into lure coursing. I feed her half cup of dry & half cup of wet mixed, twice a day. She has treats almost every day but only chews like bully sticks, wishbones, and some rawhide from Merricks. She is not a big eater, there are days she hardly eats at all.
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My baby girl is 1yr. 4mos. and she weighs between 21-22lbs most of the time. She is rather tall for a girl I think and is a perfect size, she has the waist and tuck up. My hubby says he can see her ribs but we had rather have her no more than 22 lbs. b/c they are prone to hip problems. I only see her ribs when like you say she is running, and boy does she like to run. I think I am going to get her into lure coursing. I feed her half cup of dry & half cup of wet mixed, twice a day. She has treats almost every day but only chews like bully sticks, wishbones, and some rawhide from Merricks. She is not a big eater, there are days she hardly eats at all.
Actually, Basenjis are not prone to hip problems. And even one who has hip dysplasia is unlikely to show any symptoms because they are so light (compared to most breeds with HD problems) and their musculature is normally so good.
It is a good idea to keep them lean…but you don't need to do it for fear of hip problems.
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My baby girl is 1yr. 4mos. and she weighs between 21-22lbs most of the time. She is rather tall for a girl I think and is a perfect size, she has the waist and tuck up. My hubby says he can see her ribs but we had rather have her no more than 22 lbs. b/c they are prone to hip problems. I only see her ribs when like you say she is running, and boy does she like to run. I think I am going to get her into lure coursing. I feed her half cup of dry & half cup of wet mixed, twice a day. She has treats almost every day but only chews like bully sticks, wishbones, and some rawhide from Merricks. She is not a big eater, there are days she hardly eats at all.
Basenjis are NOT prone to hip problems, while it is a small concern, thankfully responsible breeders have been getting their dogs OFA'ed and therefore keeping the problem small… not that we don't have to test for it... because there is some HD in a couple of Basenji bloodlines, but because most breeders are being responsible, we can keep a handle on HD.
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My Bella does have a luxating patella. I guess in this situation… it would be best to keep her on the lean side.
