overweight?

[annie_so_pink]

I think Wesley, my 9 month old lab mix, is getting overweight. He is about 50lbs but I think he should be around 45lbs...See my dad feeds him, my mom feeds him, my sisters do tricks with him, and I train him....So everybody is feeding him and not one of us knows how much or when he last got feed...I want to put Wesley on a "schedule meal plan", where like only an assigned person feeds him his meals and treats and then I get to use training treats and have everyone mark down on a chart thing how much and when they feed him....Has anyone else ever done something like something like that? or does anybody have anyother ideas? Thanks

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

I think its always a good idea for everyone, especially the dog to know who fed Wesley, how much and when. One of the quickest ways for a dog to gain weight is for everyone to be involved in feeding. Ever see the commercial with the Bulldog "Muffin"? Everyone feeds the dog but doesn't realize someone else has already and the poor bully in the end looks like its going to explode!

Something else you can do if you feel Wesley is getting too heavy is to find a healthy alternative for treats such as greenbeans, baby carrots and things of that nature instead of the "normal" doggie treats. Male adult Labs should be between 65 - 80 pounds in working condition so your big guy isn't actually too bad for his age. Obviously every dog is different, has a bit of a different body structure and with him being a mix its really hard to say but, if you feel your boy is overweight for his age maybe next time he sees the vet you could ask what the vet thinks as well.

My own dogs are on a set feeding schedule, since bullies are so prone to gaining weight I feel its important that they are fed the same amount per day. This also is a great way to monitor their intake, as you know when dogs become ill one of the first things usually to go can be their appetite. By setting a feeding schedule I can see for myself how much their eating and if their not eating.

[Jamila]

I agree with Crossfire.

My kids (cats and dogs) are all on a feeding schedule. I have to watch cause Talena gains weight just by looking at the others bowls...lol. I also make sure I get them worked out enough.

[Raised By Wolves]

Your vet can help you determine if a dog food for overweight dogs might be helpful, and also make sure there aren't any thyroid or other problems going on internally.

I just dogsat a very obese, 2 yr old choc lab. When I asked his owners, if they fed them off their plates when they ate, they both answered "no". Well, when you have a dog in your home for three days, you learn pretty fast if they get fed off people's plates in their home environment! I just looked at them and said, "Aw, c'mon, we ALL do it a little!". To which they "fessed" up.

My recommendation, (outside of the vet advice which I always encourage first), was to cut the dog's food down by one fourth. Set a handful of kibbles aside for treats during human mealtime, and feed the rest of the food in two portions, one morning and one evening, rather than the huge once per day evening meal the dog was currently getting. The dog will still get his two milkbones per day as a snack. A daily walk is also very important for the health of their dog, and themselves.

I have seen some very morbidly obese dogs. I do consider it to be at the very least, "neglect", when it gets to the extreme. Your dog's health should be more important than the happiness you feel when you watch them enjoy too many snacks.

I even find myself sometimes buying a special treat for my dog, because it looks yummy to me!

[Barrett]

I have dachshunds and I worry when they are even one pound over weight. I have a 1/4 measuring cup in the dog food bin so I know excatly how much each dog is getting. Bailey is my food hog and her weight will sneak up on me if I don't exercise her enough everyday. I never cut back on her food but I will take the dogs out hiking or swimming more often until the weight comes down. I really have to watch my husband when he feeds the dogs. Instead of using the ceasuring cup he just grabs two big handfuls. His hands hold excatly 1/2 cup of food, I made him measure it out one day to prove he was over feeding the dogs. My hubby gives me the puppy dog eyes and says I'm starving the dogs and says they always look hungry. I have never met a dachshund that would say no to food...my dogs have my husband trained very well.