Helping your dog lose weight

[Basenjimamma]

I don't understand why people think they are being nice to their pets when they let them get overweight or worse obese. It is extremely hard on our bodies, and little pet bodies…even worse. My father and his wife have a King Charles Cavalier spaniel (is that what they are called??) and she is like a whiskey barrel..I told them about the raw diet about 5 years ago and they tried it..with a few modifications...and the dog gained weight...WHAT? I do not understand how the dog gained weight on the raw diet..come to find our she was eating scraps still from their plates and treats and on ...and on. Poor dog. She actually wheezes when she breathes and snores like my husband when he is drunk of his rocker..LOL. and they think it is cute..oh well.

[youngandtired]

Quercus, I am so happy to get your suggestions. I will defintely get her thyroid checked, she doesn't eat that much, but she sleeps alot. I give her 1/2 cup of dry with boiled chicken that I cook for her on top, about the amount on a leg twice a day. She doesn't eat treats that often but when she does I give her bully sticks (just found out recently they have lots of calories), or 1-2 pieces of turkey 98% fat free slices in the sandwich meat dept. Like I said this is not a daily thing, maybe 2 times a week at that, she doesn't like biscuits at all, expensive or cheap. I had her on Merricks dry Grammy Pot Pie, or Turducken and I am switching her now to Wellness Weight Management. The Merricks has 3 times the fat, so I will probably stay with Wellness, only problem is she sometimes picks out the Wellness and eats the Merricks, I am mixing 1/4 Cup of each until her stomach can handle the switch. I was thinking today that if Wellness is all she gets I guess she will adjust or not eat. What do you think? I will be adding veggies, she likes broccoli, carrots (cooked ones) and green beans. Thanks again.

[Quercus]

@AndrewnShango:

This is GREAT information! Thank you! As a worker in a holistic pet bakery and food carrier shop, I deeply care about food and health for our pups and think these are great tips.

And actually, something I love about a lot of holistic food, is the portion control you mentioned. Because there is less "filler" in holistic food, our pups are getting more of what the NEED so they are eating less amounts at a time. It's the healthy way to go!

Thanks for your tips!

I agree, Andrew. I think most dogs do better at weight loss when we simply cut back on a quality food, rather than going to a weight loss food, since as you mention, they are just loaded with fillers, rather than nutrients.

[lvoss]

I think you meant quantity of food.

I agree that cutting back on the quantity of food is a better route than the low cal foods that are high in fillers. You can make up the bulk with healthier alternatives on your own using veggies and even just adding water to make the meal into a soup. The water makes them feel fuller so they don't miss the extra volume of kibble.

Also remember if you are feeding treats, you need to cut back on the kibble to reduce the calorie intake accordingly.

[Kananga]

@lvoss:

I think you meant quantity of food.

I agree that cutting back on the quantity of food is a better route than the low cal foods that are high in fillers. You can make up the bulk with healthier alternatives on your own using veggies and even just adding water to make the meal into a soup. The water makes them feel fuller so they don't miss the extra volume of kibble.

Also remember if you are feeding treats, you need to cut back on the kibble to reduce the calorie intact accordingly.

+1

I usually cut down on Kananga's food on weeks where he isn't as active. He doesn't complain though as he's one to eat to live. I actually never give him treats because he doesn't show much interest in them.

It's a very basic thing to do in all honesty. Less calories burned, fewer calories to be consumed.

[Quercus]

@lvoss:

I think you meant quantity of food.

I agree that cutting back on the quantity of food is a better route than the low cal foods that are high in fillers. You can make up the bulk with healthier alternatives on your own using veggies and even just adding water to make the meal into a soup. The water makes them feel fuller so they don't miss the extra volume of kibble.

Also remember if you are feeding treats, you need to cut back on the kibble to reduce the calorie intact accordingly.

Ooops, yeah I DID mean quantity, thanks Lisa :o

[youngandtired]

Is Wellness Weight Managment filled with fillers, or should I just keep her on Merricks, which she loves and just cut back. What do the experts think? Thanks

[lvoss]

The Wellness Weight Management formula is actually much better than most. It is higher in grains, that is how they cut the fat content but it is very similar to their regular formula.

If Sahara really prefers the Merricks then try just cutting back the amount. The Grammys Pot Pie will make a gravy when water is added so try cutting the amount of food and substituting the volume with water so she feels full.

[Basenjimamma]

I always make "gravy" for my dogs..they love it and it fills stomachs..and it is free, well almost, we have our own well.

[Elscodobermann]

@tanza:

About the recommendations you find on food bags… honestly... I thing it is Twice the amount then a normal dog needs... way/way to much.... and of course if it has lots of calories... then doesn't matter... it is going to put on the weigh. And last but not least... I totally agree about set feeding times... period... they have X amount of time to eat... if not eaten... it is gone till the next feeding time.

Totally agree - Your eye should be your best guide to the amount your dog needs. I find Tilly puts on & loses weight really quickly - keep the same quality of food, just reduce the quantity.

Yesterday i went down to see one of the "pups" i bred - a dobermann bitch i bred 13.5 years ago (the best one i ever bred but she was never shown, just a loved pet - isnt that typical?)- when they opened the door this enormous thing waddled out - i thought it was the old girl - no, it was a 3 year old dobermann bitch they got last year as a companion for her. Honestly, she could lose 25 pounds and it would hardly show. I know she gets plenty exercise but obviously portion control had gone out of the window. So i read them the riot act - am going back next week to see if its made a difference!

[youngandtired]

when you see this beautiful dog and they are way overweight. All of a sudden my B, Sahara was 6lbs. over her ideal weight. Well, I can't have that so I am doing what I can to get it off. She already looks leaner, I think I need to weigh her tomorrow. She is getting less food, and more exercise.

[Brenda Alward]

My Vet said that Marko is overweight. I've cut back on his treats and food. I also feed him veggie when he's still hungry. But he's still not losing any weight. He's 41 lbs. Is that to heavy a weight for a Basenji. We have a big fenced in back yard and he goes out and runs with Bella every day. Also my husband takes them both on walks daily. Is there anything else I can do? Or do you think he's OK? I've had the Vet check his Thyroid and he's OK, so the Vet says. Help:eek:

[Rita Jean]

Is Marko a full Basenji? I do not know but I think 25 lbs or less is more correct. Hopefully the long time owners of Basenjis can help out here. Do you have a picture you could post on here so we could see Marko?

Rita Jean

[lvoss]

A 17 inch male should be around 25 pounds. There is some variability based on muscle and bone density so some will be a little heavier, some a little lighter. You should be able to see a visible waist on your dog when viewed from above.

How much are feeding him? Did your vet have a full panel run for thyroid or just T4? Was he well within the normal range? Or was he low normal?

[tanza]

IMO… that is way to heavy for a Basenji....

[Vicki]

Green beans and more green beans. I garden, and this summer froze many packages of beans and canned some, too. The dogs get canned green beans for treats (w/o added salt).

[Basenjimamma]

My dogs get raw carrots, they think they are "bones" and they love'em..makes for really pretty poop too..;)

[tanza]

@Basenjimamma:

My dogs get raw carrots, they think they are "bones" and they love'em..makes for really pretty poop too..;)

Carrotts are great for them… but remember, they have sugar.. so as they say.. everything in moderation...gggg

[nobarkus]

41 lbs?!! Wow that's a record. How much and how often are you feeding? Is it free feeding? What brand of food? Is he getting table scraps that are high in fat?

[Shaye's Mom]

I have a neighbor who has a little black daschhound - that little thing is so fat his stomach drags when he's walking sometimes. They think it's cute - to me it's a shame, the poor little guy - the only time he's outside is to do his business, then right back in, so he also gets no exercise that I can see. Not my business, but hard to watch.