over weight dog

[neko48604]

I went to the vet the other day, and they told me that he is overweight. Which i knew but didn't think it was to bad, but he is 15 to 20 pounds overweight. I told the vet i feed him 4 cups a day because he is a 114 pound dog. So i thought that was okay, but he told me that was to much. And to replace a cup of food with green beans and carrots.

So i was wondering what else i could feed him beside that.

 

[Artfish]

Do you have a good side view and top view of your dog?

What food are you feeding now?

I would suggest a huge increase in exercise first. This will help so much more than a simple food reduction. Feeding canned, no-added-salt green beans and raw carrots is an excellent suggestion; these add bulk without adding calories. Plus, dogs typically love them! I would feed the beans more often and use carrots only as treats due to the sugars in carrots.

 

[ihartgonzo]

Is you dog eating a species-appropriate diet? By that I mean, a diet high in quality meat protein without heavy amounts of grains or fillers?

Most dogs who are put on grain-free diets gain lots of muscle and lose their excess fat. It is what their bodies thrive on, and it's healthy for a LOT more than just their body wieght! I recommend going to your local feed store/pet specialty store (most pet supermarkets like Petsmart don't carry grain free) and looking for Orijen, Acana Provincials, Taste of the Wild, Nature's Variety Instinct, Wellness CORE, etc. These foods have excellent ingredients and will therefore cost more than grocery store brands, but you will be feeding half as much food and you will save in Vet visits.

It's a good idea to add fresh, wholesome foods to your dog's diet, as kibble is so calorie-dense. Green beans can be added to fill your dog up, although they aren't really that nutricious. Add fresh meats (raw or cooked) in place of part of your dog's meal, canned salmon, chicken, and other lean meats are best. Add cottage cheese, goat's milk, greek/plain yogurt, egg and other healthy dairy. Puree a blend of healthy veggies (leafy greens, broccoli, tomato, etc) and add that in. Just like with people, dogs thrive on as much fresh, healthy food as possible, in addition to a balanced, species-appropriate kibble.

Exercise is key! Healthy, natural exercise. Running and exploring in safe off-leash areas. Playing with other dogs. Frequent, short, brisk walks. Keep his metabolism active through out the day.

 

[Dekka]

Wow 4 cups is a lot how big is your dog? Our fairly large BC gets just over a cup a day! I would up the exercise and cut back a cup (unless its a giant breed I wouldnt' worry about the veggies too much)

 

[PoodleMommy]

Is you dog eating a species-appropriate diet? By that I mean, a diet high in quality meat protein without heavy amounts of grains or fillers?

Most dogs who are put on grain-free diets gain lots of muscle and lose their excess fat. It is what their bodies thrive on, and it's healthy for a LOT more than just their body wieght! I recommend going to your local feed store/pet specialty store (most pet supermarkets like Petsmart don't carry grain free) and looking for Orijen, Acana Provincials, Taste of the Wild, Nature's Variety Instinct, Wellness CORE, etc. These foods have excellent ingredients and will therefore cost more than grocery store brands, but you will be feeding half as much food and you will save in Vet visits.

It's a good idea to add fresh, wholesome foods to your dog's diet, as kibble is so calorie-dense. Green beans can be added to fill your dog up, although they aren't really that nutricious. Add fresh meats (raw or cooked) in place of part of your dog's meal, canned salmon, chicken, and other lean meats are best. Add cottage cheese, goat's milk, greek/plain yogurt, egg and other healthy dairy. Puree a blend of healthy veggies (leafy greens, broccoli, tomato, etc) and add that in. Just like with people, dogs thrive on as much fresh, healthy food as possible, in addition to a balanced, species-appropriate kibble.

Exercise is key! Healthy, natural exercise. Running and exploring in safe off-leash areas. Playing with other dogs. Frequent, short, brisk walks. Keep his metabolism active through out the day.

^this... but wanted to add that I noticed my PETCO carries Wellness CORE now, so if you dont have a lot of stores near you this is a good option.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I would up the exercise and cut back a cup (unless its a giant breed I wouldnt' worry about the veggies too much)

That's what I would suggest too. Dogs actually gain/loose weight much faster than we do. If you cut his food down to 3 cups a day, he should loose the weight in just a few weeks; even faster if you increase the exercise.

If you switch foods, keep in mind that you can feed less of a good brand to get the same nutritional benefits of a bad brand. 4 cups of a low-quality food is probably the equivalent of about 2 or 2 1/2 cups of high-quality food. So if you switch foods you'll also have to adjust the amount of food you're feeding, or he will continue to loose weight.

I'm glad that you're working on this, though; it's extremely dangerous for large breed dogs to be overweight. It's much harder on their heart and lungs, as well as joints, to be overweight, and definately reduces their lifespan. Good luck!!

 

[ACooper]

Everyone else has offered good advice, I have nothing to add to it.

I just wanted to say WOW, good job on your vet! So many vets just keep quiet and keep it to themselves so as not to offend the owner! I am glad he gave you his opinion and offered an idea of how to go about fixing it

 

[neko48604]

Thanks for the advice. My vet didn't say anything. I'm the one that brought it up because when i seen his weight i was like OMG. So i asked the vet.

One other question i forgot to put was how to get him to Exercise because he is a very lazy dog. The only thing he does is go for a walk when i take him. I try fetch he goes get the ball than lies down and chews on it. Than our other dog is very playful and active and trys to play with him and he just walks away. so any way to get him more active. I mean i run but i don't think running is good for him because he is so over weight that is might hurt his joints. what do you think.

 

[elegy]

i wouldn't run him, but walking is good. i have a coworker who adopted a tremendously obese dog, and she got the weight off just with feeding an appropriate amount and walking her. she went from 105 pounds down to about 60.

 

[Zoom]

Remember to feed to the weight he SHOULD be, not the weight he IS.

Walk more, feed less and as he loses weight, he should become more active as well and you can start doing more vigorous activities to keep him in shape.

 

[BlueChaos]

I'm sure its very difficult for him to move around right now due to the weight. I dont know what youre feeding, but as other suggested, try grain free, meat based food, protein helps to build muscle it also helps to keep the dog full and reduces begging. Also with grain free food, you'll be feeding less because its so much more nutrient dense. My dog only eats 1.5 cups total a day (3/4 cup- twice a day) and he's 67 lbs.

I reccomend Wellness core reduced fat, if youre on a budget look into Taste of the Wild.
Slowly build up indurance by increasing the distance, include some hills in the walks to build strengh, I also reccomend getting a backpack, its been very helpful when my dog gained couple lbs to get him back in shape. I use ruffwear approach pack and its the best.
Do you have any friends with dogs? organize a playdate to help burn off some calories or take him to a dog park.
I also second that you should not run with him, just walk for now until he loses at least 1/2 the ammount, its too much pressure on the joints.

good luck

 

[Doberluv]

What type of dog is he? How tall? Did the vet give you an idea of what he should weigh or how much to feed him? Toker is about the size of a Lab, but not as stocky. She weighs about 50 Lbs, I think. (I kind of forget) Anyhow, she gets 3/4 of a cup twice a day of Taste of the Wild and just a few tiny treats and those, not even every day. Sometimes I'll put just a tsp of cottage cheese or once in a while an egg on her food, but then I cut back just a tad on the food. I just do it to make life more interesting for her. But she is a perfect weight. I can feel her ribs when I go along her sides. From a bird's eye view, she has a waist. It goes in compared to her rib cage and rear. She has a good tuck-up behind her belly. So that is kind of how you can judge. Don't rush it too much. And just walking for now. Work up gradually to more. Green beans, (not canned) if they're cooked & pureed are somewhat digestable and add bulk so the dog doesn't feel like he's being ripped off. LOL. Be conscious of treats you give out. Don't over do. Those add up fast.

 

[neko48604]

He is a lab-chow, and 26 inch tall, but the vet did say he should weigh about 85-90, and to feed his 21/2 to 3 cups of food, and replace the fourth with green beans.

 

[ihartgonzo]

What brand of food are you feeding him?

 

[Tankstar]

what brand are you feeding him?
Do you have water near by? take him swimming, walk him more , feed less.
Id cut it down to 2 cups and maybe a cup of green beans.

 

[neko48604]

I feed him Innova, and i wish i had water near by, but i don't, and right now its only about 20 degrees out.. Thank you all for helping me. He has been doing good. and as not tried to eat me for cutting his food in half. But i will take all of your advice. THANK YOU..

 

[Zoom]

He is a lab-chow, and 26 inch tall, but the vet did say he should weigh about 85-90, and to feed his 21/2 to 3 cups of food, and replace the fourth with green beans.

I really hope both you and the vet were taking that to mean the TOTAL amount for the day and not at each feeding! Innova is pretty rich and has over 500 kcal per cup, so you really feed much less of it than even the bag recommends. My very active foster Lab, at 75lbs, only ate 3 cups total a day, which I broke up into two meals.

 

[neko48604]

YA that was a day. 2 to 3 cups a day. Not a feeding

 

[lizzybeth727]

I feed him Innova, and i wish i had water near by, but i don't, and right now its only about 20 degrees out.. Thank you all for helping me. He has been doing good. and as not tried to eat me for cutting his food in half. But i will take all of your advice. THANK YOU..

Sounds good.

Innova IS a really good food, kudos to you for feeding it. I'd suggest feeding him the 2 cups per day for about 2 weeks, and then reevaluate his weight; if he hasn't lost more than about 5 pounds in the 2 weeks, then cut his food down to 1 1/2 cups per day.

 

[maybe532]

Cat, Kitten, Puppy and Dog Feeding Guideline Calculator – Natura Pet Products

Here is Innova's feeding calculator. I did it for you, putting in that he is an adult that is inactive and put the goal weight of 85 lbs in and it said to feed 2 5/8 cup per day so it seems like he has been eating too much. Even when I put in a weight of 110 lbs it said to only feed 3 1/2 cup. My dog, Lucy, sounds just like your dog and my vet said to feed according to the goal weight.