Zara needs to lose weight - advice please?

gettingready

krlyr wrote: »

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-feeding-tips/dog-lose-weight/

Thanks a lot, will have a read at home

dandelionclock30

What about taking her swimming in the better weather? to a beach or a nice secluded spot on a lake.
The weight would the be off her hips and swimming is supposed to be the finest exercize.

gettingready

Thanks - I do not drive and it is difficult to take a dog her size on a public transport.

She was going for hydrotherapy but decided against because of possible spine issue that came up during an MRI post hip replacement - till we see the ortho, any exercise needs to be limited.

That is why I am looking for possible medical cause (tests?) or food change.

fannyadams

my friends Pyrs both go swimming about twice a week as if you walk them more they limp and get stiff.
I would see if your vet knows of a hydrotherapy pool - perhaps your insurance might cover it.

teddysmum

I don't suppose your vet does free weight clinics (ours do) or they would have suggested them when weight has been mentioned.


Putting kibble into a treat ball would give a little exercise and spread the meal out.

gettingready

vet weight clinic - will ask, thanks..

Zara already was going for hydro but we decided against because of possible spine issues - as I mentioned already

Swimming is not ALWAYS a good thing, not with spine problems - pity as she loves swimming

mtbbuxton

I understand that full hydro isn't suitable, but would a water treadmill be a possibility? I know of at least two dogs with spinal issues, one of them who is now also a tripod, who use these. The dog gets the benefit of working in the water, but the depth of water can be tailored to suit them a lot better.
Link for info only http://www.hydrophysio.com/veterinary/Home.aspx

Foodwise, I'd also agree with adding more veg to Zara's meals to fill her up and replace some of the Orijen. Raw carrot is good or you could try tinned green beans - Tesco sell them at 75p for a 400g tin. So long as they're either vacuum packed or in just water, they're another good filler.

It really isn't easy sometimes ( I know, I've been there with a podgy moggy ) so I hope you can find a way of helping Zara.

M x

krlyr

I buy frozen green beans for us - £1 for a kilo at most places, so cheaper than tinned. Mine are more than happy to eat raw veg if I blitz it in the blender, they just nuts when they hear it whizzing away and can't wait for their veggie 'gloop'!

Following the calculator on the link I posted earlier, it reckons that with an ideal weight of 36kg and activity level set as 'overweight', and putting in the calories that Whichdogfood says Orijen contain, you should be feeding 260g a day.

This means you could afford to drop what you're feeding now slightly. I'd drop to 260g, bulk out with veggies.

I'm not sure porridge oats are particular low calorie, I know they're added to 'satin balls' fed to fatten up dogs. A quick Google says they're around 400-600kcal per 100g, which is more than the food GR feeds itself (398kcal/100g). I sometimes feed my dogs porridge, just for a bit of variety, as a quick and easy meal, and also because they're meant to have a good calming effect, but not as part of a weight-loss diet.

teddysmum

I've never fed my dogs the full amount suggested on products....so money saved and thinner dogs.


When my brother-in-law first had his guide dog (a lab), he had a huge delivery of tinned food and mixer, with instructions on how much to feed her. I mentioned that the amounts were well below those on tin and pack and Michael said he'd been told that manufacturers advise you to use too much.

mtbbuxton

krlyr wrote: »

I buy frozen green beans for us - £1 for a kilo at most places, so cheaper than tinned. Mine are more than happy to eat raw veg if I blitz it in the blender, they just nuts when they hear it whizzing away and can't wait for their veggie 'gloop'!
.

I also buy frozen for us and agree they're much better value. My reason for suggesting tinned beans is that they are cooked and possibly more palatable and easier to dish up. Given how long a day GR already has, I thought it may save a bit of time over cooking frozen or cleaning up after blitzing raw

M x