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

  • Dog food prices

    Basenji Feeding
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    6k Views
    Baba BamideleB
    I tried to get to the bottom of it, but I didn't find much. I did find an article that said food prices in general may be rising due to El Niño, so that may be a factor. Also, an article about general consumer dissatisfaction with higher pet-food prices: http://www.petbusiness.com/January-2016/The-Cost-of-High-Prices/ And, stats from last year that show that pet food prices fell to a fairly low point in August 2015 (which may explain why they're going back up now): http://www.petbusinessprofessor.com/petmarket/buying-pet-products-price-matters-petflation-update-and-more/
  • Dog food

    Basenji Feeding
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    22k 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.
  • Dog food advice

    Basenji Feeding
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    3k Views
    YodelDogsY
    oops never mind
  • Survey of Dry Dog Foods

    Basenji Feeding
    32
    0 Votes
    32 Posts
    14k Views
    tanzaT
    @agilebasenji: To clarify, I'm not feeding my dogs differently because they are show/performance dogs; I'm feeding them differently because that is what works for the individual. Where I see feeding a dog differently because it is a performance/working dog (NOT a conformation/show dog) is where the dog is burning TONS of calories. Examples would be a working border collie/kepie or, perhaps, a greyhound that is being run many times a week (I don't know how they work things at the track), a working military/border patrol dog that is logging in miles of work daily, etc. My performance/show dogs are more weekend warriors by comparison. Training less than an hour everyday (not that I really train 7 days a week), hardly needs a special diet (IMHO). I will say I feed the basenjis more in the winter than the summer; they need more calories when it's cold. I also cook an egg on show/agility/coursing mornings, but that's because Digital is a picky boy and I need him to having something in his tummy when he's performing in agility/coursing. And it has just sort of carried over even though Miss Zest would never turn down food of any sort. Of course that's not too different from most weekends since I usually cook a big breakfast on Sat and Sun and everyone gets a bite of egg then. However, I will say I know of some people who do feed their current show dogs a better diet than the non-show dogs, which I find very sad. Well put, especially your last comment… I totally agree.... and pets/companions deserve the best we can feed them... no different then show/performace dogs...
  • Beneful Dry Dog Food

    Basenji Feeding
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    11k Views
    abby_basenjiA
    I have been feeding my dogs Diamond Brand Chicken and Rice small breed, according to that website it's not the greatest but not the worst. I might try the Orijen brand and see if my dogs like it, Cooper and missy will eat anything but Abby is more picky that's why I went with the diamond brand cuz she likes it and she will eat it! :)
  • Christmas Cookie recipes for dogs

    Basenji Feeding
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    9k Views
    S
    I don’t make up any recipes myself. I usually take other people’s recipes and modify them to fit what I think is best for my dogs.