Just got back from the vet's today and she said my little chi is too pudgy! LOL! She said I shouldn't be keeping the food bowl down all day like I've been doing. Recommends to let her eat 2 times a day for 5-10 minutes. What sayiest thee?
2007-02-16 09:46:53 · 10 answers · asked by Gayle M 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I'd like to add that I feed my chi with Iams puppy food and have never given her treats. I also give her Nutri-Cal vitamins daily. The breeder was the one who suggested leaving a food bowl down at all times to avoid low blood sugar. I'm a stay at home wife and we play almost non-stop but I haven't taken her outside (she's paper trained) due to the cold weather lately. She's not pot-bellied but her little body is somewhat square-shaped and her coat is fuzzy right now. I plan on doing what the vet has suggested as well as getting her out more to play with my other 2 dogs now that the weather is getting a little less cold. Thanks for all the good advice you guys!
2007-02-16 12:33:51 · update #1
If that is your vet's recommendation, that's what you should do. She's the one with the college degree in veterinary medicine and the experience. Don't forget to abide by her recommendations on exercise, the amount of food to give your little darlin' and on when/how much to treat as well. Of course, if, given time, this doesn't work, you should call the vet and ask whether she has some other advice.
The number of feedings and amount of food recommended for a Chihuahua puppy differs from dog to dog. It depends on his/her weight, age, metabolism, how much exercise he/she gets, the type/brand of food, etc. Also, some dogs can be free feeders, but most seem to need to have the bowl taken away as soon as their allotted time is up.
To tell if your puppy still has a weight problem, just look at her from the top and from the side, then run your hands over her ribs. Viewed from above, there should be a noticeable waist in front of the hips. Viewed from the side, the belly should be tucked up. And you shouldn't be able to see her ribs, you know, like to count them, but it should be easy to feel them without an excess of fat covering them.
We fed our Chihuahua 3x a day until he was about 9 months old, then went down to twice a day, but that was on our vet's recommendation. We actually fed him a smaller amount of food total, he just got more in each serving. And we didn't have to throw away as much food. When he reached a year old, we dropped the amount of food even more, and he went on adult food, but he still gets fed twice a day.
We were lucky, Stanly only eats until he's full, then stops. And he gets full on the recommended amount of food for his size. Sometimes he'll let just three bits of kibble in his bowl because he's no longer hungry.
2007-02-16 10:37:43 · answer #1 · answered by Peaches 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The breed that I raise are supposed to be tall and slim..When puppies, they are much heavier than when full gorwn..they slim down when they are mature..so your Chi's weight right now isn't necessarily and indication of her future weight.
I raised Chihuahuas for many years, and the puppies were often pudgy..
I would feed her 3 times per day, but just a little less than you were feeding, like cut back a little from what she has been eating and put it in 3 feedings..As she has a great appetite, I don't think she needs to have extra caloric vitamins, as her kibble is pretty complete..You can find vitamins that don't have as much sugars..
Also, Innova, Solid Gold, Wellness or Canidae will have more nutrition packed in a smaller amount of food, and will staisfy her better..
2007-02-16 12:43:35 · answer #2 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've breeded many a chi and that does sound a bit big, but what u can do is get the chi more excercise. and I believe that a dog, cat, any animal should always have a bowl of food full all day long. Does ur chi look fat to u? If no potbelly. he or she will be fine. GOOD LUCK with ur new pet!
2007-02-16 09:55:39 · answer #3 · answered by nikki o 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree with the vet!
My little yorkie was 5 pounds at 3 months of age!
2007-02-16 10:32:54 · answer #4 · answered by Jessie M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Follow the vet
2007-02-16 10:20:24 · answer #5 · answered by coldenburgdogs 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah just follow the vets orders alright>
2007-02-16 09:54:23 · answer #6 · answered by nicky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't replace your love with food. You may love your dog but don't over feed him/her with treats.
a few pounds on us is like 15 pounds on them.
I also have chihuahuas and i too find myself showing them love with treats ,but i replaced it with play'n with them
LISTEN TO YOUR VET :)
2007-02-16 11:58:17 · answer #7 · answered by kioana j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the vet is right
2007-02-16 09:53:47 · answer #8 · answered by Daniella D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thou vet is correct - he hast spoken ye shall heed his advice
2007-02-16 09:49:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
i agree-ith with the lady up top-ith
2007-02-16 09:52:21 · answer #10 · answered by brooke 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋