Dogs need to lose weight

[Ihavetochangemyusername]

Two dogs, one a lab cross, the other a collie cross, both carrying exttra weight per the vet. We go for a hour walk in the middle of the day to a beach where they can run as much as they like.

To help them lose weight do I up excise, reduce food, or do both?

Reduce food. Weigh out the food and use food allowance for any treats or rewards.

Our vet advised to feed less. Feed the amount recommended for a dog weighing 10% less than our boy. Weigh it out, guesstimate is too inaccurate.

I weigh the usual amount of food, then take out a handful. Replace treats with carrot 🥕 slices.

@WisestIsShe

Our vet advised to feed less. Feed the amount recommended for a dog weighing 10% less than our boy. Weigh it out, guesstimate is too inaccurate.

This absolutely and make sure they are doing some running or swimming at the beach not just pootling about. A ball chucker (is that the real name) is great if you don’t have one.

A ball chucker (is that the real name) is great if you don’t have one.

Not a great idea for a dog who is overweight and potentially unfit. Lots of potential for joint problems and other injuries unless fitness is built up gradually.
Even then, excessive ball play is not really recommended by most vets/trainers in my experience

Sorry to be "that" poster.

Ball chuckers are the work of the devil for dogs. They cause many serious joint injuries and are best avoided.

Really bad idea to use with overweight dogs that are already putting extra pressure on their joints.

Lol @PollyRoulson I beat you to it!

My dog loves a bit of ball chucking, never knew it was bad?

As to the weight, yes feed a bit less and walk them a bit more .

Weigh food out and keep a handful back and give instead of treats.
No snacks, no leftovers.
Brace yourself for sad eyes.

I raw feed so probably a bit different to dry but I tend to take the feeding instructions very much as a guide and go with how my dog looks, if he seems a bit podgy then I cut back a bit. Also less on days where he doesn’t do much exercise, because it’s raining and we all know spaniels melt in water .
Treats are raw carrots and tiny bits of raw meat.

Thanks for all the suggestions. The vet suggested 10% less food for one and more exercise for the other.

One loves the ball chucker and loves running in the sea after the ball. The other just bounces around her barking.

@Undisclosedlocation

Lol *@PollyRoulson* I beat you to it!

Phew I am not that poster

Does the collie cross chase the ball and the lab do the barking?

My guess would be the opposite.....lab=water, collie=shouty herding surely?!

Now you put it like that, I can see it going either way.

The collie is the ball chaser and the lab is the barker.

I think treats have started to be taken for granted, and we've forgotten they're supposed to be treats. We'll definitely go back to weighing the food again. That and another walk a day.

One advantage is I'll be losing weight too.

@Ihavetochangemyusername

Thanks for all the suggestions. The vet suggested 10% less food for one and more exercise for the other.

One loves the ball chucker and loves running in the sea after the ball. The other just bounces around her barking.

Getting them into the sea is brilliant. Swimming is just as good for them as for us, especially if they are carrying a bit of weight or a bit older.

We had to use a ball chucker to get our boy in the sea, if he didn’t charge in all excited he used to tiptoe along the edge trying to keep his danglies out of the water

What about feeding diabetic dog food? It’s very low fat but high fibre so they would feel full

Reduced the food. If they are still hungry add vegetables, carrots, green beans etc to help fill them up. Raw carrot makes a good snack

So far so good. I can feel the weight difference already. I'm using the ball chucker on every second walk and we pootle/run on the other walk. Both dogs love paddling in the sea so it feels like a win win.