Help with overweight dog!

iluvfrankie · #1 10-23-2009, 10:18 PM

my girl is three years old and since we had her neutered she has piled on the pounds- we adjusted her food at the time as recommended by the vet but she is now REALLY BIG and it did happen all of a sudden!

She is walked twice a day and in total does 6miles and she has her runs in the back yard too chasing balls and toys etc. She is on orijen adult food and we only give her a pigs ear once a week as a treat-we feel like we are starving the poor baby but each time we weigh her she is heavier- i cant understand it we are pulling our hair out!!!!

Does any one have any advice, remedies are maybe could it be a health problem the vet just told us to cut back the food.

Please help us!

BxrMommieNAZ · #2 10-24-2009, 12:07 AM

I'd have bloodwork done and make sure she isn't hypothyroid. one of the HUGE red flags is weight gain for unexplainable reasons.

Secondly how much orijin do you feed? And I'd cut out the pigs ears, aside from being extremely unhealthy and a danger to her health they're high in fat and preservatives. Give something nutritious instead such as some green beans (low calories high fiber so filling) or a raw meaty bone, or an elk antler. How many treats does she get, any table scraps? Do you have any pcitures you can post?

(btw, fixing a female dog is a spay, fixing a male dog is a neuter).

when my girl was 82 pounds (and should weigh around 65) turned out she was hypothyroid so with the proper thyroid medication and an EXTREMELY strict diet (reduced food more and replaced missing portio with green beans for awhile) she was able to go from 82 pounds to 64 pounds in a little less than 6 months on diet alone (no exercise as she's ill). Test is easy and *typically* doesn't cost too much. And hypothyroidism is pretty common in Boxers, but easily treatable.

Good luck!

iluvfrankie · #3 10-24-2009, 11:38 PM

Thanks for the help.
Shes getting below the recommended amount for her breed as the vet recommended. She gets one pigs ear a week (on a sunday) but i didnt realize how bad they are for them so they are now off the shopping list-my vet told me they were fine!

Il have her blood checked because at this stage we have no idea what we are doing wrong and my baby is getting bigger and bigger!

The vet recommends she loose about 3kgs.

BxrMommieNAZ · #4 10-24-2009, 11:43 PM

Well food has nothing to do with breed, it has to do with their recommended weight and unfortunately vets know zero on nutrition. How much you feed should be based on the food you feed (again what food are you feeding??) as well as going by the guideline (to start with) on the back of the bag for her RECOMMENDED weight not her actual weight.

An example. My girl weighed 82 pounds and should weigh 60-65 pounds, I should not feed her at what is recommended for an 82 pound dog but for what is recommended for a 60 pound dog. Also those are only GUIDELINES. The guideline for my girl is around 3 cups yet if she eats anymore than 2 cups per day she balloons like there's no tomorrow.

Feeding is based on what what food you're feeding (they are not all considered equal) what their metabolisms can handle, the weight they should be, how much exercise they get, etc, not on their breed.

I definitely would have the bloodwork done, but again, how much you feed and what food you feed would be helpful to know in order to help you out further.

iluvfrankie · #5 10-25-2009, 12:50 AM

She is on orijen 6 fresh fish with sea vegetables and she is getting 3 quarters of a cup for breakfast and the same in the evening.

She weighs 68pounds but is a very small girl in height. We have been feeding for her recommended and not her actual weight as thats the first thing the vet mentioned.

BxrMommieNAZ · #6 10-25-2009, 01:09 AM

Then you're probably doing well with that amount, but if she doesn't start to lose in a month or so (or gains) then you'll have to cut back. I'd say cut back by 1/8 of a cup at a time and see how it goes. It just depends on the dog, the guideline is only a guideline. Also watch the treats you give, table scraps, etc as those contribute to weight gain (or not losing) as well. But definitely get the thyroid test to make sure there isn't a medical reason.

And remember, weight loss isn't overnight. They're wanting her to lose about 6 1/2 pounds, that's a good amount, it should take a few months to lose that.

Good luck!

iluvfrankie · #7 10-25-2009, 01:32 AM

Thats great il start her on that amount and see how we go-i was afraid if i went too low she wouldnt be getting enough of what her body needs. As for scraps she gets absolutely nothing she sits on front of who ever is eating and drools but we dont give in! we feel terrible but its for her own good!
Thanks again for the advice

Widges · #8 10-25-2009, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iluvfrankie

She is on orijen 6 fresh fish with sea vegetables and she is getting 3 quarters of a cup for breakfast and the same in the evening.

She weighs 68pounds but is a very small girl in height. We have been feeding for her recommended and not her actual weight as thats the first thing the vet mentioned.

I would have thought that you would soon see a big weight loss with the amount you are feeding her - unless of course, she does have a medical condition.

Billy is on the same food but gets 1 1/2 cups morning AND night. So he is actually eating twice as much as your girl - any less and you really notice the weight come off him.

He is VERY active though - as well as running 3 miles a morning with me on lead, he gets to romp though the fields for the return journey off lead. He then gets another off leash romp in the afternoon with friends dogs and then my DH takes him in the late evening for another 2 mile on lead walk.

Widges · #9 10-26-2009, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Widges

I would have thought that you would soon see a big weight loss with the amount you are feeding her - unless of course, she does have a medical condition.

Billy is on the same food but gets 1 1/2 cups morning AND night. So he is actually eating twice as much as your girl - any less and you really notice the weight come off him.

He is VERY active though - as well as running 3 miles a morning with me on lead, he gets to romp though the fields for the return journey off lead. He then gets another off leash romp in the afternoon with friends dogs and then my DH takes him in the late evening for another 2 mile on lead walk.

Forgot to add that Billy is 65lbs & is standard height.

iluvfrankie · #10 10-27-2009, 12:12 AM

she is quite active too and walks over 7miles a day and her burns in the garden. we are having her checked for medical issues asap.