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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

My dog needs to lose 2-3 kilos

27 replies

SunshineCake · 20/07/2019 17:27

As do I Blush but I'm not sure how to help her as she knows her routine of meals and snacks and woe betide if we try to miss any. Vet nurse agreed it might be nicer for her to have her meals cut down rather than her snacks and treats given she knows when they are coming, however she needs food but not the treats. Would longer walks do it? TIA 🐶 🐕

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 20/07/2019 17:32

I would up the walking/exercise a bit and cut down the amount in the bowl a bit.

What do you feed? Kibble/wet? Definitely weigh it out each time so you know you are actually reducing it.

When mine has been on restricted exercise I just fed a bit less of everything including treats. He still got treats but one biscuit less etc.

Does she like things like carrots which you can give to fill her up with less calories.

Original poster
SunshineCake · 20/07/2019 17:36

Walking more is an option. I take her for two walks a day as much as possible, one hour each time but now it's holidays I'll be doing more to escape the kids and my low MH

She has dry food and we weigh it every time.

She loves carrot and this afternoon had a chunk rather than her bonio and seemed happy.

Thank you.

OP posts:
pigsDOfly · 20/07/2019 20:26

If you can get her used to having vegetables and/or a small amount of fruit rather than high fat treats that would help.

She clearly likes carrot so that's one you know you can use. Things like broccoli and peas are good for greens.

Some things such as grapes and avocado are dangerous so obviously not those.

Jouska · 20/07/2019 21:30

What type of dog and what is her weight?

How much dry food does she have each day?

TheSandgroper · 21/07/2019 06:35

How big a back yard to you have? We often scatter in the shrubs little bits of treat and ddog is busy being led by her nose for a good half an hour until she is sure she has got everything.

A couple of sessions like that can really occupy the dog for little investment from you. Just take dogs treat from her daily meal allowance. Our vet is always pleased at her muscle mass.

Original poster
SunshineCake · 21/07/2019 07:09

She put on just under a kilo in three months and is now 29.6. She's almost three and is a golden retriever. The ironic thing is she lost quite a bit of weight and the vet wanted me to increase her food. It took a while to get her where they wanted her and then we reduced her food slightly to keep her stable. I think missing some afternoon walks has had an effect. She doesn't have the maximum recommend of her dried food a day. It was roughly half way between the lower and higher amounts and then we dropped it very slightly so she could keep her snack routine

Yesterday she missed two snacks and didn't seem bothered. Normally she's up and waiting five minutes before. Though we were out at one time so that could be why but we can't do a food shop at half seven every night Grin. I guess I need to ignore her sad face or give her carrot for a bit.

We have a huge back garden so now problem running around there.

Thank you for all the suggestions.

OP posts:
Jouska · 21/07/2019 09:05

How much kibble are you weighing out and what is it? If you know this then you can make a % decrease on her daily allowance.

I would weigh out her food into 3 portions.

One for breakfast, one for supper and the other one given to her throughout the day as snacks.

She will lose weight more effectively by cutting the food intake than by exercise. Once on the correct weight then you can maintain that weight but exercise.

Original poster
SunshineCake · 21/07/2019 17:30

For the last three months she's been having 100g of Burns dried three times a day. Dropping her lunch is not an option. I'd feel mean as she knows the routine. She had a chunk of carrot rather than her Bonio this afternoon and dh has dropped her meals to 90g x three.

OP posts:
WatcherOfTheNight · 21/07/2019 18:04

Have you considered changing foods op ? Burns is a very carb heavy & low on meat .
A swap to something like Millies Wolfheart Countryside Mix which is 70/30 or their Turkey & veg 80/20 would make a big difference .

Original poster
SunshineCake · 21/07/2019 18:13

It doesn't Surprise me about the food given how disappointing the breeder was. Would it be okay to change so radically at this stage? Ive been feeling for a while there was better food but didn't think we could change.

OP posts:
Original poster
SunshineCake · 21/07/2019 18:16

Ironic that she lost a lot of weight, which I think happened when I started giving her two walks, and then it took about three months to get her to the weight the vet wanted her. Now I have a different nurse telling me not to get her any bigger and to drop a bit.

OP posts:
Jupiter13 · 21/07/2019 18:50

That's not alot... there's alot of people need to lose 2-3 stone.

Original poster
SunshineCake · 21/07/2019 18:52

Yeah, I need to lose more than my dog Sad.

OP posts:
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 21/07/2019 19:00

Could you switch her to a light dog food - she’d get the same amount of food but fewer calories - it worked for our brown Labrador.

Or mix chopped veg into her regular food, so she gets the same volume of food but fewer calories.

Jouska · 21/07/2019 19:30

Hang on how many times a day are your feeding her? How old is she?

3 meals plus a bonio?

Adult dogs should have two meals a day. Anything after this is unnecessary.

Dogs will eat when bored(like me!) so instead of chucking a bonio at her do some games or trick training but use her food allowance for this no extras.

BiteyShark · 21/07/2019 19:33

Adult dogs should have two meals a day.

If you split the daily allowance into three rather than two it doesn't make any difference.

Jouska · 21/07/2019 19:34

Can you list everything you feed her a day.

300grams of Burns a day will not make the average Goldie fat - that would be enough for a 30 kilogram dog .

How much does she weigh.

Be honest Smile

Jouska · 21/07/2019 19:35

No Bitey but buggers up exercise regimes - it is nearly impossible to fit exercise around 3 meals a day and rest between for digestion

BiteyShark · 21/07/2019 19:45

Jouska honestly I have never heard or had any issues regarding feeding three times a day and not being able to exercise. We only feed twice a day now but that's a recent thing as my dog did much better on three meals. For convience we now just feed his 'treats' at lunch but that's still a significant portion of his intake.

Jouska · 21/07/2019 19:49

Bitey not sure what your issue is and this is of topic so sorry OP.

It is recommended not to exercise a dog 2 hours after eating kibble or one hour before.

I recall your dog has digestive issues so smaller meals may be recommended but in general dogs are happy fed on two meals a day. It also prevents the over feeding which is an issue in over weight dogs.

BiteyShark · 21/07/2019 20:04

Jouska I don't have an 'issue'. I was just interested as you responded to the OP about them feeding three times a day so was curious as I haven't had a problem with exercise and fitting in meals and also didn't think it was off topic given we are discussing feeding and exercise. Sorry if that's upset you in some way.

tabulahrasa · 21/07/2019 21:14

The not feeding close to exercise is mostly for bloat... I’m pretty sure it’s a cocker spaniel biteyshark has? Not the shape or size of dog it’s a big risk for.

OP, tbh, I was expecting a much smaller dog with that size weight loss being recommended... you’d really not have to change much to get that off that size dog, a bit of extra walking and the bit less food you’re doing would probably get it off.

Original poster
SunshineCake · 21/07/2019 22:10

I'm going to leave this now but thank you very much for all the helpful posts.

I am not looking for an argument about my dogs routine. She's three. I don't want to change it hugely as she likes things as they are and to know what is happening. There is no issue with timings with eating, walking, playing, brain training,

She's my best friend. I'm not going to do anything that could hurt her. I just wanted a helping hand for getting a few pounds off her. She's still within normal limits for age and breed. Just the nurse doesn't want her any bigger. As for the be honest comment, I have been. No point asking for help then lying.

OP posts:
Beamur · 21/07/2019 22:15

My Mum's dog got chubby. Vet advice was to weigh the food daily and keep back some of that to use as 'treats' so the overall calories were the right amount for her.

Jouska · 22/07/2019 06:29

10kg per body weight for Burns so is you want her 27kg feed her 270 grams a day. If you add treats give her less Burns. Just spilt that into as many meals as day as you want.

Of course you love her and having her a healthy weight is very important

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