I am so glad that she made it safely through her surgery! They certainly are challenging to manage during the recovery period with their high energy levels.
Regarding feeding, have you ever considered free grazing? I have always allowed our dogs to self-regulate, and I have never had an overweight dog. Our two now are extremely healthy, and our vet says he has never seen a stronger, more muscular and lean frame on a dog than on our parti, Tyrone.
We realized after we got him home that Tyrone was denied food by his "breeder" in order to market him as a smaller yorkie. He did over eat for a few days...I am sure that he thought that it would be taken away if he didn't finish immediately. Within a few weeks he learned that it would always be there when he was hungry, and he settled in at a larger, but healthy, weight.
I am sure that she may "pig out" at first, but she may surprise you and learn fairly quickly to eat the appropriate amount. We start the day with shredded chicken on top for breakfast, which they quickly gobble, then they have a small amount of kibble. They both are hilarious about having lunch and dinner at the same time that we eat. As soon as I go into the kitchen to prepare meals, they follow and eat mouthfuls of kibble which they carry over from their bowls and eat at my feet! If I am late starting a meal, they go into the kitchen and bring a mouthful of kibble into the family room to remind me that it is time for diner, lol.
I know that this approach will not work for every dog. I am just suggesting that you might want to give it a try. |