need DIET advice

[scentlady]

Madison is what you call 'thick'. She has grade 3 LP and I want to keep her weight down. She's not a skinny yorkie by any means. Last vet visit she was 6.5 lbs but feels like 10 when you carry her.
Any way, I need suggestions on getting her slimmed down a bit. I know the obvious is cut back on food and more exercise. She eats bite for bite same as my 5 lb maltese. They get walked for 30 mins each day. They go to the park daily (m-f) for 90 mins of play time with 4 other yorkies. When I cut her back food wise she is always looking at me like she's starving, or going to her empty bowl and licking it. I feel soo bad she's obviously hungry. I don't free feed. they get about 1/3 cup of evo small bites twice a day. I mix about a tablespoon of evo canned food into the dry.
I was thinking maybe I need to feed her some frozen green beans or something.
I know somebody's had to have gone through this. Any advice will be much appreciated. thanks

[jadabug]

I know exactly how you feel. My Jada is the same way. She has LP too and our vet wants me to keep her weight around 5 1/2lbs. She can seem to gain just looking at food. She got up to about 7lbs about 6mos ago and it has been hard to get any of it off. I like you have cut her back to the minimum for what her weight should be on the kibble. I do add frozen thawed green beans to her evening meal and that has helped. She is not a big playing dog but she will run from me if I chase her so we run through the house playing everyday and that has helped, she is still around 61/2lbs and I cant seem to get that last pound off of her. I can't cut her food back anymore because she is like your little one licking the bowl after she eats like she is starving. I also only give veggies for treats.

[viviansnickers]

Hi Scentlady...

I do want to tell you that while Evo is a GREAT food, it is high in fat. Evo makes a Reduced fat formula but I don't think it's small bites but I think you should try it. Also the canned Evo is VERY high in fat so try to eliminate that as well. Snick has been on Evo before and also had LP surgery last Nov. If you want a drastic change and are willing to feed raw, my number 1 recommendation is Primal Raw.

You can supplement the Evo Reduced Fat kibble also and the weight will come off. I think you should immediately change to the reduced fat formula or else the LP is going to get worse. Also, make sure Madison is on a Glucosamine supplement (Dasuquin is fantastic) as it will help lubricate the ligaments around her patella.

Hope I was of help!!
Snick & Viv

[lil fu fu girl]

Originally Posted by viviansnickers

Hi Scentlady...

I do want to tell you that while Evo is a GREAT food, it is high in fat. Evo makes a Reduced fat formula but I don't think it's small bites but I think you should try it. Also the canned Evo is VERY high in fat so try to eliminate that as well. Snick has been on Evo before and also had LP surgery last Nov. If you want a drastic change and are willing to feed raw, my number 1 recommendation is Primal Raw.

You can supplement the Evo Reduced Fat kibble also and the weight will come off. I think you should immediately change to the reduced fat formula or else the LP is going to get worse. Also, make sure Madison is on a Glucosamine supplement (Dasuquin is fantastic) as it will help lubricate the ligaments around her patella.

Hope I was of help!!
Snick & Viv

Excellent post

Fat and protein are definitely needed by your pup, however if you pup is now experiencing a chronic issue, then changing your food to a higher protein, while lowering fats and carbs, is an excellent choice.

The difference between Evos', "small bites" and "weight management" in Kcal is 69Kcal per cup, which is fairly large. What I like about Evo, is that they fill the difference in fat loss (7%) with protein and not carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are not satiating for your dog, nor are they nutritonally dense. So, by changing to weight management, you would be feeding her 305Kcal for the 2/3 of a cup per day ,versus, 351Kcal per day on small bites. Also, adding in additional fiber into her diet through snacks of apples, beans, carrots, etc. would also assist in weight loss.

Best of luck in your endeavor!

[scentlady]

Originally Posted by viviansnickers

Hi Scentlady...

I do want to tell you that while Evo is a GREAT food, it is high in fat. Evo makes a Reduced fat formula but I don't think it's small bites but I think you should try it. Also the canned Evo is VERY high in fat so try to eliminate that as well. Snick has been on Evo before and also had LP surgery last Nov. If you want a drastic change and are willing to feed raw, my number 1 recommendation is Primal Raw.

You can supplement the Evo Reduced Fat kibble also and the weight will come off. I think you should immediately change to the reduced fat formula or else the LP is going to get worse. Also, make sure Madison is on a Glucosamine supplement (Dasuquin is fantastic) as it will help lubricate the ligaments around her patella.

Hope I was of help!!
Snick & Viv

Viv
Thanks for the great advice. I had no idea evo is high in fat. When I inquired about this particular brand I was told how wonderful it was. I will like into the raw. I do have some raw in the freezer right now. I'll have to go look at the brand. Thanks again! I really do appreciate sound advice.

[scentlady]

Originally Posted by lil fu fu girl

Excellent post

Fat and protein are definitely needed by your pup, however if you pup is now experiencing a chronic issue, then changing your food to a higher protein, while lowering fats and carbs, is an excellent choice.

The difference between Evos', "small bites" and "weight management" in Kcal is 69Kcal per cup, which is fairly large. What I like about Evo, is that they fill the difference in fat loss (7%) with protein and not carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are not satiating for your dog, nor are they nutritonally dense. So, by changing to weight management, you would be feeding her 305Kcal for the 2/3 of a cup per day ,versus, 351Kcal per day on small bites. Also, adding in additional fiber into her diet through snacks of apples, beans, carrots, etc. would also assist in weight loss.

Best of luck in your endeavor!

Thank you so much for your post! It's Sunday evening here and I will be headed to the feed store tomorrow for a change in food for my little madison.
It just amazes me that dogs like people can eat the same exact thing and one gets heavy and one stays slim. its a learning experience.

[scentlady]

Originally Posted by jadabug

I know exactly how you feel. My Jada is the same way. She has LP too and our vet wants me to keep her weight around 5 1/2lbs. She can seem to gain just looking at food. She got up to about 7lbs about 6mos ago and it has been hard to get any of it off. I like you have cut her back to the minimum for what her weight should be on the kibble. I do add frozen thawed green beans to her evening meal and that has helped. She is not a big playing dog but she will run from me if I chase her so we run through the house playing everyday and that has helped, she is still around 61/2lbs and I cant seem to get that last pound off of her. I can't cut her food back anymore because she is like your little one licking the bowl after she eats like she is starving. I also only give veggies for treats.

Well michelle, I hope you, like me, can learn from these pro's that we have hear. Since Madison is only 18mos old and Lexie my skinny maltese is 6yr old, I'm having to learn for Madison's sake what I've never had to concern myself with Lexie. But I'm a loving mom and will do right for Madison.

[scentlady]

Well I had some taste of the wild chicken flavor kibble in freezer and some natures Variety raw madellion's in the freezer. So thats what the girls had for dinner. That will get us through the night and through breakfast tomorrow until I can get to the store and get my girls something lower in fat.
I am seriously considering going back to Natures Variety's Instinct kibble and raw, as my Madison was nice and slim while on that food.
Now that I've read the reply from viv and Fu it caused me to reflect that before evo madison as younger ( under 12mos) but also slimmer. we've only been on evo for about 6 mos.
we only switched to evo because it was supposed to such great food and I could get it locally. Everything else is 35 miles one way to go get. Are my girlie girls worth it? YOU BETCHA!

[viviansnickers]

Hey girl!! I saw in another thread you're going with the Primal/Acana rotation. That's great! It's exactly what I feed to Snickers. I hope your girls love it! Snickers has never eaten better! He loves his food!

-
Snick & Viv

[Yorkiedaze]

Sheri, if Madison doesn't lose any weight with what your going to start feeding her, then take her in for a blood test to have her thyroid checked.
If the food you put her on doesn't help, then I can help you if you want. I've taken off 4 pounds off my foster girl in the past three months, using a home cooked and raw veggie diet.

I see you used the picture I took of Lexie and Madison for your avatar. (with my car in the background) I miss seeing you.

[scentlady]

Originally Posted by viviansnickers

Hey girl!! I saw in another thread you're going with the Primal/Acana rotation. That's great! It's exactly what I feed to Snickers. I hope your girls love it! Snickers has never eaten better! He loves his food!

-
Snick & Viv

Yep! I got my acana ordered and I'm trying to hunt down Primal. I had to work today so I'm making phone calls. I did have some nature's variety raw in the freezer so I'm giving that to them with the evo kibble until the acana gets here. So far no upset tummies or diarhea. So things are looking good.
I measured Madison around her girth under her front legs and in front of her hind legs. I will remeasure in a month. She probably only needs to lose like 5-8 oz. I will swing by the vet tomorrow to weigh her.
Thanks Viv for all insight. I'm determined to give my girls the best I can.

Thanks again

Cheri

[scentlady]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

Sheri, if Madison doesn't lose any weight with what your going to start feeding her, then take her in for a blood test to have her thyroid checked.
If the food you put her on doesn't help, then I can help you if you want. I've taken off 4 pounds off my foster girl in the past three months, using a home cooked and raw veggie diet.

I see you used the picture I took of Lexie and Madison for your avatar. (with my car in the background) I miss seeing you.

Thanks for the Thyroid advice. I appreciate that very much. I did try home cooking like you do and I'm just to busy with my business these days to have the time it takes to cook for them.

Yes that avatar picture is one of my all time fave's of my girls ( thank you for that) I even use it on my cell.


Thanks again,

Cheri

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by scentlady

Thanks for the Thyroid advice. I appreciate that very much. I did try home cooking like you do and I'm just to busy with my business these days to have the time it takes to cook for them.

Yes that avatar picture is one of my all time fave's of my girls ( thank you for that) I even use it on my cell.


Thanks again,

Cheri

I take a couple of hours once every few weeks to make up a large batch of food and freeze. If you would be interested in doing that let me know and I can give you the recipe that I use.
Madison sure has become the little beauty now. Her coat is stunning! Great job!

[scentlady]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

I take a couple of hours once every few weeks to make up a large batch of food and freeze. If you would be interested in doing that let me know and I can give you the recipe that I use.
Madison sure has become the little beauty now. Her coat is stunning! Great job!

Thanks!
day 3 or 4 of feeding raw and she seems satisfied with meals and is already seems to be "shrinking" (slight differences)

Now Lexie My Maltese is getting red stained around the mouth from the frozen venison I'm guessing, so I am gonna go get her some frozen raw chicken this weekend.
well, they can both eat the chicken...hehehe

[stovesj]

Gracie is slightly overweight too and I have had success with cutting down the recommended amount of kibble and adding peas and carrots to make up the difference. I buy frozen peas and carrots and microwave enough to last 2 to 3 days. Dogs do not digest the peas and carrots in that form so it fills them up but does not add weight. Both of our dogs have lost weight on this.

WARNING: You will see the peas and carrots in their poop!!!!