My friend and her overweight spaniel

[JockTamsonsBairns]

This is more a WWYD thread. I've been quite worried about this situation for a few months and I don't know what to do.
I've said 'friend' in my thread title, but the situation is - I'm a care worker, looking after a woman who has physical disabilities (let's call her Jane, just so this is easier to write out)

Jane has a working cocker spaniel, an absolutely gorgeous dog, who is an amazing companion. Jane is wheelchair bound, and has had her dog for 6 years since she was a puppy (let's call her Fido).
Jane adores Fido, and vice versa. Fido sleeps in Jane's bed every night, despite having a comfy bed of her own.

The problem is this - Fido hasn't been out for a walk since August. Jane has a large garden, and Fido is let out several times a day to do her business. Up until August, Jane had a friend who took Fido out three times a week - but that was just a walk round the block on a lead. This friend now has other commitments, so is unable to take Fido out.

This leads me on to the issue. Jane is feeding Fido treats constantly throughout the day. She meets up with friends on a Saturday afternoon for a pub lunch, and Fido is a bit of a novelty in the pub - the chef cooks her some sausages, and she hoovers up the leftovers from everyone else.

I'm worried about Fido. She's 6 years old - and, being honest, she's what I would describe as morbidly obese. She struggles to walk, yet Jane continues to feed her with 'treats'.
Fido gets her own food in the morning, and again in the evening. But, she's consuming a massive amount of extra food in between.

Jane's lifeline is Fido. Her life isn't easy, but Fido gives her a reason to live. They have a beautiful relationship.
I feel almost scared to call this neglect - but, Fido needs so much more exercise, doesn't she? But who would do it? Jane survives on PIP, and there's no way she could afford a daily dog walker.

I'm not really looking for much from starting this thread - just genuinely worried xxx

Please get her to speak to the cinnamon Trust. They have vetted volunteers that can take the dog for a walk each day for people who are disabled or in hospital etc.

Borrow my Dog website, check that out would also be perfect - locals who love dogs but can’t have and take others’ out for walks etc. My sister did it for a women who couldn’t walk her’s.

Also there are charities that offer walking services. In NI we have Rosies Trust. Might BE UK wide not sure

I can understand your upset.it must be so difficult to watch Jane feeding Fido to an early death.yes,get volunteers to walk Fido,but I suspect,the dog is hardly capable anymore of walking.If a human overeats,its is her/his decision and knows the consequences.Overfeeding an animal is cruelty to an animal,no matter what the circumstances.

Get in touch with cinnamon trust-also I’m sure the vet must have seen dog for annual vaccinations and would have told your friend the dog is overweight etc.
That poor dog

This is animal abuse. There's no way around it. I'm sure Jane loves her dog but treating an animal this way is neglect.

If she can't afford a dog walker then she needs to speak to the Cinnamon Trust about getting some help from a volunteer (please do not go though Borrow My Doggy as nobody on there is background checked or vetted in any way, and they won't be properly insured either):

However, as sad as it is to say it, one walk a day won't really do anything for the dogs' weight if Jane continues to feed her like that.

It sounds unlikely that Jane has managed to keep up veterinary care for the dog either, if finances are an issue. A vet would certainly advise against letting a dog carry on in this way.

If the dog isn't walking, how are it's nails?

@Mollymalone123

Get in touch with cinnamon trust-also I’m sure the vet must have seen dog for annual vaccinations and would have told your friend the dog is overweight etc. That poor dog

You'd be surprised how many people just don't bother with vets.

Cinnamon trust.
Maybe suggest a vet visit before the walkers meet the dog.
Or simply call RSPCA. This is cruelty. This person needs to change or the dog must be removed.

Is she capable of leaving the house on her wheelchair alone? If you attend to her, can the three of you go out around the block?

Bloody cruel!!
Can you chop up veg and get Fido on healthier snacks?

@Bells3032

Please get her to speak to the cinnamon Trust. They have vetted volunteers that can take the dog for a walk each day for people who are disabled or in hospital etc.

Exactly what I was going to suggest, they’re a brilliant charity and hopefully will be able to help.

I'm a Cinnamon Trust volunteer. Please get your friend to contact them. They're non judgemental and very helpful. She must feel guilty about her dog and a daily dog walk will help them both.

She also obvioulsy needs to change the food she is giving to her dogs. It is fine to treat the dog all day if she is using food from the dogs daily food allowance.

You do need to be blunt with her, she may just be waiting for someone to vocalise what she does know.

Help her to weigh out the daily portion of dogs food and she can then give that to her dog throughout the day. If she wants to add different treats get her some J R Pate , which is low fat and again cut up a small amount to use during the day.

Food does need to be reduced initially. A fat dog will not work off the weight by just being walked they need to reduce calories

I would also say that, sadly, I suspect the RSPCA will do nothing as the dog has food, water and shelter.

I think you need to be brave here, bite the bullet and have a serious talk with Jane about what she's doing to her dog; ok, you probably won't want to tell her that she's killing her dog but something along the lines of shortening its life might be the way to go.

This is cruelty pure and simple. She's not doing it for the dog, she's doing it because it makes her feel good to constantly feed the poor animal in a 'feeding equates with love' way; it doesn't.

I've never forgotten the poor dog - chocolate lab - I used to see in the park a number of years ago. It was massively overweight and used to mooch slowly around the park looking thoroughly miserable.

I assumed it was very old. Got chatting with the owner one day and it turned out it was 4 years old, the same age as my dog at the time. That's no life for a dog.

Yes, the dog most definitely needs to be walked, for it's mental and physical wellbeing but unfortunately, walking alone won't make any difference to its weight.