Skip to content

Fat Dog

Basenji Feeding
  • Jack, my 7 yr. old Basenji seems to keep putting on weight. We currently have him on Royal Canin, skin something prescription food, it's main ingredient is fish meal. Our vet suggested it, because he is a very allergic dog. First we had him on skin formula and I noticed in six weeks his weight went from 25lbs. to 30lbs. We reduced the amount, he didn't lose weight and then we reduced the amount again. Currently he is on 1/2 Cup and he still isn't losing weight. I walk him most mornings for an hour and try and limit any other treat he gets. Occasionally he gets pizzles. My vet is at a loss and I am at a loss. His thyroid seems good no problems there. Does anyone have any ideas? Also he is on a medication called Cyclosporin for his allergies….

  • Weight gain is one of the side effects of cyclosporin. Have his kidney's and liver levels checked. That is a very low amount of food to be feeding and it may have more to do with an immune suppression which is what cyclosporin does.

  • Weight gain is also an effect of low thyroid. I know that you said that his thyroid "seems" fine… but has the full panel been done? or just the T3 that is done with normal bloodwork... and even at that, what was the level, low normal for a Basenji is TOO low....

Suggested Topics

  • How many rotate dog foods?

    Basenji Feeding
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    4k Views
    LyshL
    i stay with the same brand, good quality kibble. thats all Hope gets with maybe a raw bone and/or bits of left over meat (such as chicken) and pumpkin to have in the evening. when i was working in a grooming salon she used to get other premium kibble (samples for our customers) as "treats" - she was none the wiser and thought "yummo!" hehe and never had issues with it :) also -when we have fostered dogs she has had some of their kibble and had no issues with eating it. im pretty lucky i dont have a fussy eater :)
  • Dog food

    Basenji Feeding
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    20k Views
    kah211glhK
    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.
  • Pumpkin for Dogs

    Basenji Feeding
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    4k Views
    P
    Basenjimamma - I'll look at the varieties of Heinz baby food. Thank you for the tip. I notice that most say cook the sweet potatoes. Does anyone feed them raw?
  • Great site about dog food

    Basenji Feeding
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    MacPackM
    I agree with Pat. If the 'best' dogfood gives your dog gas, or loose stools, it isn't the best for that dog. Like Petra said, you feed a good to great quality food, hi or medium protein, whatever your dog likes that agrees with them.
  • Dog Food Brands

    Basenji Feeding
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    4k Views
    KebasmomK
    I went to two health food type pet stores yesterday and asked a bunch of questions about the different types of holistic dog foods and other foods that they had. I came away from both stores with several brochures and tons of food samples!! From one store I got a plastic grocery bag FULL of Timberwolf Organics and from the other store I got a bag full of EVO Innova samples. Enough to feed these guys for more than a week!! I had no idea that you could get samples from the stores!! The dogs seem to love both brands. We're taking it slow though so I can keep track of the reactions. They currently eat Nutro Max Ultra Puppy.
  • Dog food ratings

    Basenji Feeding
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    8k Views
    C
    We just switched to Canidae over Nutro Max. We've fed our others Nutro for years and haven't seemed to have a problem, but I'm curious how the dogs would feel if they ate a better mix. Canidae has a very good ingredient list and got a A+ rating on this list! It actually isn't noticeably more expensive per pound than the Nutro we've been getting. A 40# bag was $40. So far they gobble it up, so they must like the taste at least.