how do i make my obese dogs lose weight?

Question

i have a large bosten terrier that weighs 38lb but he is much larger in stature than other ( his healthy weight is 30lb)he is 3 years old. my cavileir should be 20lb but is 28lbs. she is 2years old. she has a hip problem so i cant run her. they are on a low cal diet but they arnt losing weight fast . do any of yall know how to speed the results up. thanx

Answer 1

Oh, I feel for you. I have a 30 pound male Boston that is, believe it or not, *not* overweight. He's very large and muscular. Well purported for his size, but above the standard and not good for breeding...

I digress... Sorry! Weight problems are very common for Bossies. Sometimes you just have to cut their food intake, especially if they cannot exercise well. Even in the winter, when my dogs are stuck inside, I will cut their food intake to almost half of their summer amount. With experimentation, that's what it took to keep them from getting too fluffy around the edges. They get a lot of exercise in the summer.

This is something you will need to try a little at a time until they are at the proper weight. (I recommend a good-quality dry food, with meat as a first ingredient, and salt WAY down on the list.) If they are eating, say, a cup and a half of food a day, cut them down to one cup. Leave it at that for a few weeks and see how they are doing. If they are slowly losing weight, you are doing good. You don't want a crash diet with a dog. My dogs get carrots for treats, and they love them. Healthier even than good dog biscuits, and good for their teeth. They also like other veggies. I don't give them commercial dog treats. Too many of them are either too high in junk-food, too hard on their sensitive tummies, or just too expensive. Greenies are the one exception, for their breath. (*gack*)

Now, one thing that I have found that is good even for a dog with a disability is to get them one of those little plastic kiddie pools. My Bossies love to play in the pool. Each time, I make it a bit deeper, so they have to work harder to get around in it. Put a ball or something in there for them to chase around. If this is not an option, would they like playing in the bathtub? Two of mine do, but two of them don't. Water is great exercise.

Best of luck to you, and good luck with that big Bossie! (I bet he snores...)

Answer 2

Both are small dogs, cut them down to 1/4 cup of dry dog food twice a day and mix about a 1/4 of packed pumpkin with it. It will make the dog feel full without overfeeding.
No table food whatsoever!!
For treats, feed baby carrots and slices of apple. Only once or twice a day and don't over do it.

The Cavalier's hip problem will benefit from the weight loss. Walk them, don't run them.

Answer 3

My dog also has a weight problem.My vet put her on a dog food called prescription diet. There are different types of this food, so, check with your vet to see which is best to loose weight. The only place I can purchase the type my dog is on is at the vet. in 2 months she has lost 7 pounds.My vet also told me exactly how much to give her a day. It works.

Answer 4

Losing weight fast, in people or in dogs, is bad. A slow weight loss is healthy.

Stay with the low-cal food, no treats and add a daily walk. Light exercise is good for dogs with hip problems.

Answer 5

Feed him diet food and don't let him have anything else. I had to do this with my dog when I had one. It is slow but it is best for the dog to loose the weight slow.
Good luck

Answer 6

Be patient . As a good pet owner you are concerned for them and have the basics already , feed seperately so they don't steal food from one another,have specific feeding times instead of a grazing on as much as you want low cal diet, adequate but restricted intake is best. Ask your vet for his suggestions.

Answer 7

instead of a three ounce serving of steak try a three ounce serving of salmon instead

Answer 8

paint your own toe nails instead of sitting for a pedicure

Answer 9

Just like with us, diet and exercise. No treats except a piece of raw carrot or apple. Long walks and cut back a little on the chow.

Answer 10

Maybe you should feed them a little bit. Rub some dog food on you and maybe they will run after you,shoot try that or ask the vet.