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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

Overweight Pooch

106 replies

SausageDogNamedBrenda · 03/05/2022 21:38

Went for a check up today as part of vet scheme. I knew our Lab had put on weight since being nuetured but omg he's 60Kg!!
He's only 5 years old, I stopped treats a few months back but habits creep back and he gets the odd titbit.
We have joined doggy fat club😀
He has 2 meals and 3 walks a day. Not sure how I can help him, he has a carrot mid day and a tiny biscuit at bedtime.
Any tips?

OP posts:
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fairylightsandwaxmelts · 03/05/2022 22:01

Reduce his meals considerably - if he's that overweight then I would be cutting back by around 20-25%.

No junky treats or biscuits - just veggies or low fat natural treats (long lasting chews might be a good option here).

How long are his three walks and does he get a good run about to the point where he's panting at all? What about other aerobic exercise like swimming?

My beagle also put on a fair bit of weight once he was neutered - we cut his food by 25%, swapped him to diet biscuits and hoped his exercise and he lost it very quickly.

Motorina · 03/05/2022 22:12

I have beagles, so I know how hard this is. I have skinny beagles, so I know it can be done.

Cut his food 20%. After two weeks, get him re-weighed. Keep adjusting his food til his weight stabilised where you want it. You must weigh or measure it - by eye isn’t good enough. Ignore the pleading eyes. It’s as easy (and hard) as that.

Motorina · 03/05/2022 22:23

I am trying to find the studies for you but there’s good research evidence that labradors of a healthy weight live and stay active for, on average, two years longer than their obese siblings. Two years is huge! This really matters.

Original poster
SausageDogNamedBrenda · 03/05/2022 23:27

Thank you!
I'm going to be strict now, I can see he's unfit. I will try and ignore those eyes!
2 of his walks are in a park where he's off lead. He will play with other dogs and chase a ball but quickly tires. His last walk is on lead around the block before bed. I feel guilty that he's so big

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 03/05/2022 23:31

You need to weigh food. And feed much less. It’s more about what you’re feeding than exercise.

fishingforflies · 04/05/2022 00:10

60kg is insane!

With labs you can't never satisfy their hunger, so just don't even try.
Weigh his food carefully and zero absolutely zero treats/snacks. This is incredibly hard to police, they can find food everywhere so it's important not to add to their treats I personally think.

It's fairly rare to see a trim lab over 1 year old so don't feel too bad, but 60kg is a crazy size and his joints etc will thank you if you manage to get his weight down.

powershowerforanhour · 04/05/2022 00:27

"he has a carrot mid day and a tiny biscuit at bedtime."

It's not the carrot what's doing it. Nor the wee biscuit. Although stop both anyway.
And feed him much, much, much less.

"does he get a good run about to the point where he's panting at all?"

At 40kg, yeah, at 60kg you'd probably be dicing with death especially in the summer. Get a sight of weight off him first before you encourage him to break out of a plod/waddle (ploddle?) . Let him have plenty of rest breaks on walks and bear in mind how you will get him home if he goes down.

Floralnomad · 04/05/2022 00:51

You could have a look locally and see if there is a dog hydrotherapy pool as swimming would be good exercise without damaging his joints whilst he slims a bit .

Girlintheframe · 04/05/2022 04:50

Our lab put on weight post castration too. Dieting was really hard as it made him more food focused than ever.

What we did was reduce his food but give lots of veg. Carrots, broccoli etc to bulk out his meals. We weighed his food every single meal too (still do this with new doggy too as much easier to prevent weight gain).

Also make him work for his food. If it's dry try scatter feeding.

We vastly reduced treats. It wasn't easy but we got there. Good luck

Womble18 · 04/05/2022 06:36

Floralnomad · 04/05/2022 00:51

You could have a look locally and see if there is a dog hydrotherapy pool as swimming would be good exercise without damaging his joints whilst he slims a bit .

This really helped with my overweight dog. Meant he could run more when we walked which then helped him lose more weight. Also they weighed him before every session so bit like doggie weight watchers.

findingsomeone · 04/05/2022 06:40

Absolutely weigh his food. Don't get him down to 40kg and think he's lost so much you can stop there either.

It is very rare for a Labrador to need to be much over 30kgs. My golden retriever was 32kg at his heaviest and he was a bit chunky at that level for my liking. I'd say your dog potentially needs to lose 50% of his body weight knowing the breed as well as I do Sad

findingsomeone · 04/05/2022 06:41

Also if he eats kibble you could put his food in a kong wobbler. Will drag dinner out a bit and make him work for it? I expect he'll guzzle it and then look at you all 'where is the rest' 🙄

Original poster
SausageDogNamedBrenda · 04/05/2022 07:36

I'm gutted that he's got so big! I feel so guilty.
I think the bad habits definitely started as a puppy, going to puppy class and being encouraged to take handfuls of treats everywhere for recall. The habit just continued.
I'm going to join the doggy weight watchers and throw away the treat tin. He can have 2 blueberries at bedtime.
He's never really enjoyed rubber/nylon bones and toys. He loves his fluffy toys.
He has got a Kong somewhere so I will dig that out.
Thanks for everyone's comments I appreciate it🐶

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EdithStourton · 04/05/2022 07:46

You could also try a slow feeder bowl and low-calorie kibble. That way he'll feel a bit fuller.

If you do need treats, either amp up bits of carrot, or find some really tiny ones - there are some I use that are about the size of an aspirin, but apparently taste marvellous.

I sympathise - one of our dogs is perpetually hungry. I keep a very close eye on her weight and make sure that I can always feel her ribs just under her skin.

cheapascheerios · 04/05/2022 07:57

If he’s on dry food you can just use that in place of treats?
def weigh out the food it’s so easy to overfeed and remember that lots of feed companies over estimate the amount of food they need

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 04/05/2022 07:58

I think the bad habits definitely started as a puppy, going to puppy class and being encouraged to take handfuls of treats everywhere for recall. The habit just continued.

Treats are absolutely fine but they need to come out the dogs daily allowance, they shouldn't be extra food on top.

So, weigh up his daily dry food allowance and take some of that with you on walks, or use healthy treats like veg in the home.

Low fat natural chews can be really good for dogs on a diet as they last a long time, keep them busy and tire them out so they sleep instead of beg for more 😉

SarahSissions · 04/05/2022 08:44

Hydrotherapy or swimming will be nice low impact exercise for him-you might even be able to get it through your insurance if your vet refers you.
my dog loves frozen ice cubes- no calories and great fun. Veggies and cucumber might be good.
maybe get a tuggy toy from tug e nuff and try to replace food treats with a little game?

powershowerforanhour · 04/05/2022 08:47

Training treat wise I like schmackos as they smell quite strong, most dogs like them and you can rip a little bit off the size of your thumbnail and that will do. It's the getting it not the size of it. Although once trained I never bothered with treats when we were out and about- doing the action is reward in itself because they know they've done a good thing.

Original poster
SausageDogNamedBrenda · 04/05/2022 08:50

Thanks all
I will keep a tub in the fridge with carrots, celery, brocoli as a treat.im going to get a slow feeder.
He does have kibble and in his evening meal I add a bit of wet meat so that can be cut right back..
Will also look into hydrotherapy on the insurance,
Feeling more optimistic now 😌

OP posts:
PollyRoulllson · 04/05/2022 13:18

60kg Shock

All you need to do is to weigh out his daily food allowance and give it to him throughout the day.

So he can still have "treats" and of course be rewarded for recall but it is from his daily food allowance.

I would not be giving him veg etc as it is so easy as an owner to give too much.Trust me he will gobble his food allowance as a treat as well as his general food.

How much food are you giving him each day and what food is it?

Floralnomad · 04/05/2022 17:10

If he’s on kibble I would scatter feed him so he has to walk around to find it .

Summerholidayorcovidagain · 04/05/2022 17:22

Replace some meat with veg?
Our ddogs love raw and cooked veg.
Poor ddoggy being fat shamed on mn!! Where is the pic of the porker op? We need before and after pics surely? We can support him on his quest to fitness!

hellcatspanglelalala · 04/05/2022 17:30

Floralnomad · 04/05/2022 17:10

If he’s on kibble I would scatter feed him so he has to walk around to find it .

I was about to suggest similar. Have you got a kong wobbler OP?

averythinline · 04/05/2022 17:47

Was going to suggest hydro/swimming...knackers my springer out.....less sore on joints as well

Original poster
SausageDogNamedBrenda · 04/05/2022 18:02

Aah thanks again everyone!
He is fed 'step up to naturals' kibble which when researched on the "what dog food" website is a 75% nutrition
(pedigree is 4%😱)
He has got a Kong somewhere, I.will dig it out, and I may order a slow feeder.
I did originally weigh out his allowance but then do it by eye which of course is stupid!
Today he's had his 2 meals and a carrot. He watched DH eating and when realised nothing was coming his way, went to sleep.

OP posts: