My dog is pretty overweight. My mom thinks it's just the body she grew into... but I don't want to take that chance. She wasn't like this when she was younger. She is eating diet food... which has made a 2% change. Anyone have any other ideas out there?
BTW... she's 9 years old. :)
2007-06-18 08:44:04 · 45 answers · asked by ♥ Lisa ♥ 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
What kind of dog ? How much exercise does she get?
YOu can see if your dog is overweight by gently feeling her sides---if you can not feel the ribs, she is chubby. Also, feel along the top of the spine----is it also "padded"? And finally, look at your dog's back, as she is standing. Can you see an indentation between her ribcage and hips?
Two of my dogs were on the diet food from the vet for a year---they lost very little weight & HATED the food. I got them on a holistic food, Weight Loss formula (no corn, wheat, soy or by products). They love it and lost weight quickly!
Get on a good food, try walking her more, and cut out all treats.
2007-06-18 08:51:32 · answer #1 · answered by tina in fla 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Okay, diet foods for dogs are all carbs and grains... read the ingredients.
Get this poor dog back on a high protein diet, just feed less... feed her for the weight she should be...get a grain free, good quality kibble like Evo or Nature's Variety Grain Free. There are a few other brands... google: dog + food + grain free
Then, make sure a full thryoid panel is done including free T3 and free T4, not just the TSH. TSH is not a good indicator of thyroid function. Dr. Dodds has a good test... research it.
Then, I'd slowly increase the exercise for your dog. The weight went on slow, and it will be slow coming off. Be patient.
If you really want to do what is best for your dog... Feed it a raw diet. www.rawmeatybones.com
2007-06-18 09:07:03 · answer #2 · answered by Jocelyn7777 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Has she had her thyroid function checked? That might be a place to start - especially if you feel she's not being overfed.
After that, you need to cut back on her food by maybe 20%, cut out all treats, with the exception of raw vegetables like carrots or green beans.
And exercise. Given that she's 9 and out of shape, you need to start out slowly and build up her tolerance for exercise, but it's necessary, especially for an older dog who needs to keep her heart healthy.
2007-06-18 08:48:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
She may be suffering from sheer lack of exercise. Most dogs slow down as they get older, so less exercise, but the same amount of food, will pour on the pounds. Take her out with you when you go for walks, play with her (my dog loves fetch, even though she's blind), and/or start her on a food specially made for older dogs.
2007-06-18 08:50:21 · answer #4 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
okay... one way to help her is to maybe not feed her as much food as you may be doing. If your dog is only seeing a 2% cchange. than maybe the food could be working if it was not eaten as much. so try to maybe only let him or her eat 3 times a day and walk and play with her a lot.
2007-06-18 08:57:51 · answer #5 · answered by shianne w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Feed her less, and walk her more. If it is hard for her to walk, arthritis or what not, find a way for her to swim. Get her to the vet to rule out any health ailments she may be facing, and get her on the healthiest diet out there. Feed her a bit less....it won't kill her, and stop feeding her any table scraps and treats, if you do that.
Above all else, exercise her more, it will improve her health and well-being overall in a great way!
Thanks for being concerned about your pup!!
2007-06-18 11:54:29 · answer #6 · answered by LiaChien 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try to have a little lean protein with each meal as protein tends to be more satisfying than carbs or fats
2017-04-01 09:31:33 · answer #7 · answered by Mary 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yup, regular adult dog food, good quality, lots of clean fresh water, TONS of good quality exercise.. And cut back on her food in take. Feed her some carrots or green beans then give her dinner..
2007-06-18 10:09:02 · answer #8 · answered by DP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i had a dog that was overweight and she was 11yrs old just take her on nice slow but kind of long walks. cut back just a little on her food as well. over time she will start to loose the weight.
2007-06-18 08:50:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
you should go to a park or something and take the dog walking or walk the dog around a neighborhood first do it monthly then weekly and eventually daily until you are happy with the body she has
2007-06-18 08:52:44 · answer #10 · answered by baby girl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋