Dick VAn pattens- potato & duck/ Weight Gain? HELP Ive been feeding Dick Van Pattens Potato and duck formula small bites to my yorkie for a year now. His body now is rather large for his head and body. I believe he may be a bit over weight. My vet said he was and I need to feed dog food not puppy food. The thing is that the potato and duck is an all life stages food. What would you all reccomend for a diet. My vet recommended Science diet but I dont want to resort to that. |
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The recommended amount is actually alot. Ive been giving him less than the recommended and he still gained the weight. The thing is that I work 12 hour shifts 3 days a week and he is locked in his kennel for safety reasons( he terrorizes wood, carpet etc) Maybe he just needs more excercise. I dont know I hate to change his food. I would usually feed half in the AM and half in the PM. Maybe I should just feed in the evening since he is locked up in the day time. That way he can run it off playing in the evening? |
I would keep feeding him two times a day. I would increase the exercise and that should be easier with the weather getting nicer, I know a lot of people do not see the difference but walking is better than just letting in the back yard. I saw am idea from another member and I thought it was briliant, rather than confine her Yorkie(and yes I am a believer in crates) for large periods of time they got an Xpen and some sheet flooring from home depot this way you can just hose or wash the flooring (you can get very inexpensive on sale) and the dog has more room to run around during the day when you are not home. It is just a thought. I did not see your answer about treats, just like us to much treats equals to much everything. |
I think He just needs more exercise. I would just keep feeding the amount that you are feeding. And I don't think you need to put her on SD. My girls get about 1 hour long walk in the morning before I leave for work. They love to eat and they are little pigges but they don't gain weight at all. |
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Being confined for long periods of time, consistently is not good for their metabolism. Yours, and their metabolism is a machine in itself that is created by your activity level. Do not lower his food intake, that will not help him lose weight. All that will do is tell his metabolism that there is not enough food to maintain him, so now he will have to store more, which is done by fat deposits. Get him outside for a walk or play everyday. He is no longer a puppy, so put him on another version of his favorite food that reflects what year of life he is in. Also, try to get him accostomed to your house now. Get him out of the kennel and inside your house as much as possible. The quicker he learns the rules of the house, the quicker he can spend his days out of the kennel and with the family. My 16 week old is never kenneled at all. When we go for long periods, over 6 hours he is gated off with an xpen that allows him free roam of the living and kitchen. There are no wires or temptations within the barrier. Try the increased physical activity, and his puppy fat will come off. Best of luck:thumbup: |
The ideas given for more exercise are awesome. I need to take that advice with Sugar myself. Dogs, like humans can have varying metabolisms which is very apparent in my house. Spike and Sugar are very close in size. Spike is a bit over 4 pounds and Sugar is a bit under 4 pounds but Spike is taller. They eat the same exact things every day. Spike is built very wirey and almost looks under weight and Sugar looks a little on the chubby side. I feed twice a day and they rarely empty their food bowls both times so I know Spike is not hungry and Sugar isn't overeating. There is no difference in what we do for either dog. Their metabolisms are just very different. |
I also feed my kiddos this food. How much are you feeding and how much does your baby weigh? I would try feeding 1/8 cup per day and give half in the a.m. and the other half in the p.m. I know it doesn't sound like much, but (depending on what your baby currently weighs) it will be plenty enough to make him full and it will also help him to lose weight. Walking him more will also help tremendously. |
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Awww, what a sweetie he is :) Very cute little guy! I would definitely start feeding him an 1/8 cup/day. It won't look like hardly anything at all once you get it measured out, but it WIL be enough food for him :) As far as treats go, I would cut out all commercially prepared treats and just give fresh fruits and veggies as treats. Bully Sticks are great chews to give....and don't add alot of calories like the treats do. These are also great to give and it keeps them busy ;) |
Thank you stedmansmommy and everyone else for your advice. We are going walking this morning before I leave to class. :) |
My dogs are also on this food although the boys don't like it so I won't be repurchasing. They are addicted to fish I think. I hate the smell so keep trying to get them on a non-fish food but they're not going for it.:rolleyes: Anyway, Gracie is 8 pounds and she eats almost 1/2 c a day. 1/4 in the morning 1/4 in the evening but they aren't full 1/4 cups if that makes sense. After you get the weight off that might be a good maintenance plan. |
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