Can a puppy get too fat? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

tmatherly · 08-15-2005, 07:16 AM

Hey guys-my little Scout, 13 weeks now, is getting pudgy. The reason being that Pippa, my 1 year old Yorkie is a picky eater and always leaves food in her bowl. I feed them Science diet wet puppy food with a little cottage cheese mixed in (for Miss Picky) in the a.m. and p.m. and leave out Bil-Jac dry puppy food during the day. Scout eats all his breakfast, plus what is leftover of Pippa's. AND he eats the dry food by the time I come home for lunch to check on them. I am afraid to not leave the dry out for the rest of the day because Pippa does nibble here and there and she needs the calories. Sooo, Mr. Fatty looks like a round blob with a little head. I know he's hitting a growth spurt, but do I need to maybe gate him off in his own area and limit what he can eat? It seems mean, now that they enjoy each others company. Should I just let him eat?

kelley · 08-15-2005, 05:15 PM

I think that puppies can get too fat. I am very cautious of this-both of babies are just right in weight. They eat 2 times a day-once in the morning and once at night.

I think a schedule is probably best. And once they are on a schedule it is sooo nice. Both of mine poo in the morning. Then they eat. Then they poo in the late afternoon and then eat. They are so used to their schedule. I leave their food out, BUT ONLY if they didn't finish it in the morning or afternoon. They get so much and if they don't eat it, they are allowed to finish it throughout the day. (I make sure they have enough, but not too much).

Plus they get snacks, of course.

I hope this helps a little bit.

ReconsMomma · 08-15-2005, 05:19 PM

It might be a good idea to gate him off in his own little area. Maybe try, if there is a spot, to gate him so that he can still go nose to nose with your other dog, but so that he cant eat her food. I know that they can get too fat and you really dont want him to have any long term affects from getting too heavy. Good luck and keep us posted on how things are going.

jenefor · 08-16-2005, 08:04 PM

When we went for Gidget's first vet visit he asked how often I was feeding her and at the time we had just got her and left dry out for her all day. He said that he has never encountered a fat Yorkie and that they arnt prone to being overweight since they are so active......Now that we have changed food Gidget is eating alot more and still is not pudgy or anything.....I think as long as they are active they sould be fine

vainchick5 · 08-16-2005, 08:23 PM

I agree that you have to be careful. You can keep them on schedule by giving them breakfast before you leave, give them some nutrical (take the food away). Place some food for them while you're there for lunch. Then take it away and give them dinner when you come home. I think another thing that could cause any dog/puppy to be overweight is canned food, and too much of it. I think canned food is already fatty, and adding cottage cheese makes it even more fatty. Maybe give that to them as a treat a couple of times a week. Check with your vet but that's what I would do.

ingallsra · 08-16-2005, 10:41 PM

I agree with everything said above. Depending on how my puppies' weights are doing, sometimes I have to feed them separately to monitor the amounts.

tmatherly · 08-17-2005, 06:42 AM

Thanks everyone for replying! I have been gating Scout off at feeding time and not leaving out as much dry food. I tried hiding the dry food yesterday for Pippa-I showed her where it was-but Scout found it in a hurry. I think I need to stop obsessing over Pippa being so picky, because when Scout eats all the food before lunch, and nobody is home to refill it, she is VERY hungry for dinner and eats well. hmmmm, maybe this momma should take note..LOL

08-15-2005, 07:16 AM	#1
tmatherly Razorback Yorkie Lover Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bentonville, AR Posts: 1,922	Can a puppy get too fat? Hey guys-my little Scout, 13 weeks now, is getting pudgy. The reason being that Pippa, my 1 year old Yorkie is a picky eater and always leaves food in her bowl. I feed them Science diet wet puppy food with a little cottage cheese mixed in (for Miss Picky) in the a.m. and p.m. and leave out Bil-Jac dry puppy food during the day. Scout eats all his breakfast, plus what is leftover of Pippa's. AND he eats the dry food by the time I come home for lunch to check on them. I am afraid to not leave the dry out for the rest of the day because Pippa does nibble here and there and she needs the calories. Sooo, Mr. Fatty looks like a round blob with a little head. I know he's hitting a growth spurt, but do I need to maybe gate him off in his own area and limit what he can eat? It seems mean, now that they enjoy each others company. Should I just let him eat? __________________ Tiffany Pippa, Scout, and Ranger's Mom http://www.dogster.com/?198523 http://www.dogster.com/?198525

08-15-2005, 05:15 PM	#2
kelley Donating YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northeast Indiana Posts: 371	I think that puppies can get too fat. I am very cautious of this-both of babies are just right in weight. They eat 2 times a day-once in the morning and once at night. I think a schedule is probably best. And once they are on a schedule it is sooo nice. Both of mine poo in the morning. Then they eat. Then they poo in the late afternoon and then eat. They are so used to their schedule. I leave their food out, BUT ONLY if they didn't finish it in the morning or afternoon. They get so much and if they don't eat it, they are allowed to finish it throughout the day. (I make sure they have enough, but not too much). Plus they get snacks, of course. I hope this helps a little bit. __________________ Kelley, Baxter and Chloe http://www.dogster.com/?142081 http://www.dogster.com/?147322 Last edited by kelley; 08-15-2005 at 05:15 PM. Reason: To add something.

08-16-2005, 08:23 PM	#5
vainchick5 YT 6000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,472	I agree that you have to be careful. You can keep them on schedule by giving them breakfast before you leave, give them some nutrical (take the food away). Place some food for them while you're there for lunch. Then take it away and give them dinner when you come home. I think another thing that could cause any dog/puppy to be overweight is canned food, and too much of it. I think canned food is already fatty, and adding cottage cheese makes it even more fatty. Maybe give that to them as a treat a couple of times a week. Check with your vet but that's what I would do. __________________ Mommy to Coco and Rocco

08-17-2005, 06:42 AM	#7
tmatherly Razorback Yorkie Lover Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bentonville, AR Posts: 1,922	Thanks everyone for replying! I have been gating Scout off at feeding time and not leaving out as much dry food. I tried hiding the dry food yesterday for Pippa-I showed her where it was-but Scout found it in a hurry. I think I need to stop obsessing over Pippa being so picky, because when Scout eats all the food before lunch, and nobody is home to refill it, she is VERY hungry for dinner and eats well. hmmmm, maybe this momma should take note..LOL __________________ Tiffany Pippa, Scout, and Ranger's Mom http://www.dogster.com/?198523 http://www.dogster.com/?198525

08-15-2005, 05:19 PM	#3
ReconsMomma BANNED! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Janesville WI Posts: 2,483	It might be a good idea to gate him off in his own little area. Maybe try, if there is a spot, to gate him so that he can still go nose to nose with your other dog, but so that he cant eat her food. I know that they can get too fat and you really dont want him to have any long term affects from getting too heavy. Good luck and keep us posted on how things are going.

08-16-2005, 08:04 PM	#4
jenefor Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 136	When we went for Gidget's first vet visit he asked how often I was feeding her and at the time we had just got her and left dry out for her all day. He said that he has never encountered a fat Yorkie and that they arnt prone to being overweight since they are so active......Now that we have changed food Gidget is eating alot more and still is not pudgy or anything.....I think as long as they are active they sould be fine

08-16-2005, 10:41 PM	#6
ingallsra YT Addict Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 367	I agree with everything said above. Depending on how my puppies' weights are doing, sometimes I have to feed them separately to monitor the amounts.