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My Yorkie is getting fat!!! Help!!! My little Jesse is three years old, just got her last March. She is starting to gain weight. How much should I be feeding her? I usually leave a full bowl......am I setting her up for issues? Thanks!!!! |
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They have charts that show what an ideal dogs waist line should look like and that is a good rule of thumb. I would ask you Vet where Jesse is on the weight scale. Being overweight can put pressure on their knees so it is best to keep the weight in check. |
Some dogs do well with free-feeding (leaving out food), but others need scheduled feeding. I feed my boys 3 times a day a set amount of food. The amount of food your dog should eat in a day depends on her size, activity level, and the kind of food you feed. For instance, if you feed kibble, some kibbles are 480 calories per cup and others are 380 calories per cup. Less is needed for the higher calorie, denser kibble. Check the food bag for recommended daily servings. Usually they overestimate, so probably a little less is needed. Be sure to factor in any treats/supplemental food. |
I find sometimes it's not so much the dogs food but the treats we give them I know my hubby loves with food so I boiled up some chicken and when he gets his evening snack he will give her a little boiled chicken instead of what he is snacking on. He is happy and so is she LOL |
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Yeah, in your case a scheduled feeding and maybe switching to a weight control formula would help. Keep treats to fruits and veggies (like carrots, green beans, lettuce) and lean meats. Treat fruits like a dessert treat cause they got that fructose sugar, so once in awhile in small amounts. |
Ziva went up to 8 lbs at about that age- I thought she was just boxy shaped until my vet rolled his eyes! We have monthly weigh ins now at 6 1/2 lbs- portion her food 3x aday and only a canister of cheerios for my husband to hand out one at a time! It took 6 months to get the weight down and she was much more energetic and able afterward. |
Your pet food label should have some feeding guidelines according to your dog's weight. If you leave the food down all day you can either put that amount down all at once or divide it up and give it twice a day. They are just guidelines though. If your dog is very active then he may need more and if he is a couch potato he may need a LITTLE less. Taking him out for at least one good brisk walk a day will help him to take off weight and strengthen his muscles. Muscle strength is important as he gets older and joints start to wear. Those muscles and ligaments help support those joints. We play indoor fetch when the weather is bad and I can't take Gracie for a good walk. She needs to run off her energy or she gets a bit too mischievous!:) |
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First you need to know how much you are feeding her! A full bowl means nothing - what is the size of the bowl - do you use a measuring cup? You should use a measuring cup say it is 6ounces and fill it - and if you want to free feed her daily do not any more into her bowl even if she finishes the 6oz by mid day. Most dry packaged food show suggested serving sizes and most show too much food for the activity level of your dog. But if you are going to put her on weight control then weigh her first - know what amount you are currently feeding her - then cut out about 10% over 2 wks ie 5% less each wk and weigh her once wkly to see objectively how she is doing. |
My Zeusy is 4 lbs and just had FHO surgery to remove his hip. The vet asked how I fed him and was very, very pleased with how much I give him. He gets an 1/8 of a cup scoop in the morning and an 1/8 of a cup scoop at night. He does get a few snacks in between for good behavior. I was very glad after surgery he didn't gain any weight, since he was on strict crate rest for 4 weeks. He weighed exactly the same as the day he went in for surgery. He is 18 months old. |
Remember to feed according to your pet's ideal weight for his frame not what he weighs now if he is overweight. |
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