Fatty Girl!

ladyfinn · #1 08-07-2009, 09:27 PM

I own a beautiful fawn colored female Boxer. My vet had informed me during her last visit, that she needs too lose 20# because she is overweight. She weighs 97# and will be 5 years old in November 2009. I tried her on a low maintenance diet dog food as my vet suggested. I try to walk her when I can, but it's almost impossible since I work alot. What can I do to help her lose weight. I even thought of getting a treadmill! She is my pride and joy, and I would love to keep her around for a few years. And kept healthy and in good shape. Any constructive suggestions? We need help!

BxrMommieNAZ · #2 08-07-2009, 10:23 PM

First off have you had her thyroid checked? One of the symptoms is being overweight.

My girl had to lose 18 pounds, but because of her arthritis and degenerative knee condition she is allowed NO exercise, so she lost the weight SOLELY on diet.

First off, my suggestion is dump any weight loss food you have it's garbage. Put her on a good healthy kibble (check out Dog Food Analysis - Reviews of kibble to find a good kibble a 4, 5, or 6 star food). Not sure what you feed though. Anyway, feed her via the feeding guideline based on what she SHOULD weigh not what she DOES weigh. Then reduce that by 1/3 cup per day and replace that with 1/3 cup either canned no salt added or frozen green beans (they're filling but aren't a lot of calories). IMO until she gets down to a decent weight cut out all treats, scraps, etc as well. If you want to add a bit of boiled chicken breast (like 1/8 of a cup) that's okay but I wouldn't do that everyday. And just wait. This is what I did along with putting my girl on thyroid medication and she lost the 18 pounds in 6 months on diet alone and has kept it off for over 2 years now. She's now 7-8 years old so that would've put her at about the same age as your girl when we had the same problem. My girl with zero exercise eats around 940 calories per day (2 cups of Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato) and is 61 pounds (where she should be) now and very healthy in the weight aspect of things.

Good luck!

Cami · #3 08-08-2009, 10:13 AM

I 2nd the previous posters advice AND.....

Quote:

I try to walk her when I can, but it's almost impossible since I work alot.

I walk dogs for a living and I work 12-14 hour days EVERY DAY. I only get a day off sporadically (last day off was 5/3 or over 3 months ago). I too, work A LOT and the last thing I want to do when I get home is walk MORE but......you just have to find the time. Wake up early, come home for lunch when you can, do a quick walk right before bed HIRE someone to come in daily, etc.....

Aside from the weight issues walking is just plain good for them on so many other levels.

BoxerRiggo · #4 08-10-2009, 10:26 AM

my vet recommended instead of dog treats use, lightly salted rice cakes or carrot sticks.
good luck...i would defintaly increase the exercise. i walk riggo at least twice a day, even without weight issues it is good for them.

kayboxer · #5 08-10-2009, 10:34 AM

You can also give them veggies for treats. My dogs love fresh veggies, such as bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers even! Or you could do apples or banana's for treats too. Lower calorie and better for them. I did the green bean diet with Roxy when she needed to drop some weight. It worked well, and helped fill her up. Do you have a neighbor kid that could take your dog for a walk while you work? For a few bucks, most kids would jump at something such as that. Just make sure they are old enough and strong enough to handle a boxer.