Needs to loose 2 pounds!

[MaggieMaysMommy]

Maggie is 9 pounds now, and the vet really prefers her at 7. So we have been trying. I have been working on this for a good 6 months but her weight hasn't budged. I admit that she is heavier, but I think she looks more solid than fat. She eats twice a day - 1/4c in the morning, and a 1/4c in the evening of Royal Canin kibble for yorkies. She does get a small kong most afternoons, with some apple or pear in it and either a TINY bit of turkey or pumpkin. I walk her three times a day - morning/night we go around the block at a brisk pace, at noon we just do a slow walk (lots of sniffing) to the corner and back for potty. She doesn't get table food and the kong food totals maybe 2 tbsps, she only gets a treat if I am grooming her (once a month) and she is staying still while I trim (usually tiny bits of banana). Any tips to actually get the weigh off? The Royal Canin serving is less than recommended because of the kong factored in. I can obvi cut out the kong but I think a bit of fruit is good for her. Thoughts? Should I cut out everything aside from her 2 servings of dog food? Maybe this is obvious but you know how it is when you get into a routine!

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by MaggieMaysMommy

Maggie is 9 pounds now, and the vet really prefers her at 7. So we have been trying. I have been working on this for a good 6 months but her weight hasn't budged. I admit that she is heavier, but I think she looks more solid than fat. She eats twice a day - 1/4c in the morning, and a 1/4c in the evening of Royal Canin kibble for yorkies. She does get a small kong most afternoons, with some apple or pear in it and either a TINY bit of turkey or pumpkin. I walk her three times a day - morning/night we go around the block at a brisk pace, at noon we just do a slow walk (lots of sniffing) to the corner and back for potty. She doesn't get table food and the kong food totals maybe 2 tbsps, she only gets a treat if I am grooming her (once a month) and she is staying still while I trim (usually tiny bits of banana). Any tips to actually get the weigh off? The Royal Canin serving is less than recommended because of the kong factored in. I can obvi cut out the kong but I think a bit of fruit is good for her. Thoughts? Should I cut out everything aside from her 2 servings of dog food? Maybe this is obvious but you know how it is when you get into a routine!

You're not really giving her that much above and beyond her two 1/4 cup servings of RC. Unless she has health issues and HAS to lose two pounds, maybe 9 pounds is an acceptable weight for her, so long as she doesn't continue gaining?

[Britster]

I'd have to see an aerial shot of her from above to see her waistline (preferably while wet, maybe in the bath, to really tell) to see if she looks overweight or not. But I personally prefer to see a leaner dog vs. a heavier one. Jackson is a bit heavier than I like right now (but by most peoples standards would still be okay). Fwiw, he's 19lbs (I like him better at 17lbs), and he eats 1/2 cup per day of kibble (also some wet in each meal). So for a smaller dog, that may be too much food.

You could try a low fat food just to help you along, something like Wellness Core Reduced Fat maybe? And up exercise of course.

These pix are from when Jackson is in his best shape.

[Britster]

Oops forgot one

[MaggieMaysMommy]

I am giving Maggie a bath tonight and I will snap a pic! Thanks for the feedback! Id probably let her be at 9 lbs and just make sure she didn't gain, BUT, she has LP on both legs and I fear that the extra weight will cause issues down the road. She is ok now and takes supplements to keep everything working properly, but she's only 5 (we think) and has a long healthy life to live!

[ironmike86]

Without seeing your dog or knowing what activity. If she has rolls and the vet thinks she weight to much...You are feeding to much. I feed Moki 1/4 a day. He is high active. Full sprints in the yard 3 x a day. He gets carrots and veggies all he likes. And various other fresh foods. He is a little more then he should be. Has some extra but not to much...I can that his buffer in case he gets sick. Hes a muscular little guy ~10 1/2" tall But is 6lbs 12 oz up and down..

[MaggieMaysMommy]

I am WAY late posting this overhead shot of Maggie, and I am not sure if anyone is still following this post, but I will attach just incase. She has a summer cut right now so this is pretty accurate, though not as good as if I took it when she's wet from a bath. Anyways, you can see a bit of a curve in at the hinds, but you can't really feel ribs, she's definitely gotten "thicker" gaining two pounds. We have a vet app this week for annual shots, so I am going to ask about her weight again.

[Yorkiemom1]

Bless her little heart!!! I am NOT good at diets, for neither myself or my pups! I just can not stand to see anything hungry!! I see a bit of a tuck in at her waistline in the pic you provided....she is getting great exercise daily.....That being said......you know I am a devoted Royal Canin user of many, many years. I would NOT go changing her food brand all over the place.....you are going to join the legions of people on here with a pup that is confused and gets quirky and picky and then you will be fighting trying to find some new diet that she will eat consistantly. "If it aint broke, dont FIX it"!!! I wouild leave her on the diet (RC) she is on now....maybe adjust amounts around?? 3/4 cup in the morning to start her day and load up on energy producing calories for her active day, and the cut back to 1/4 cup for dinner meal, where she is going to be less active. I had to cut back on amount of serving for some of mine, and I added green beans to "bulk up" the amount of food being served....that worked well for mine. I did cut down on between meal treats....almost cut them completely out....but I know HUNGER between meals, so I did keep one snack in late afternoon (green beans). During the summer months, my kiddos are very active around the back yard, with swimming and "water sports"and ball games......increased cool water activities during these 90 - 100* days is a must and much appreciated by my group!

[MaggieMaysMommy]

Ha! I am not good at diets either! But mags and I are trying! LOL.

She loves her RC so I will wouldn't change that (and I just think its the best - my opinion, I know food brands are a hot topic lol), I do really like your idea of skewing the portions. And I will continue to be careful of the snacks. She sometimes gets an upset stomach if I forget her snack and I like her having fresh fruits/veggies in the day. So I will keep those in but maybe I will do veggies more than fruit. She loves celery and baby carrots. I could do those instead of pear and bananas. All great tips everyone! I love her no matter what, I just would hate to compromise her health in the long run by being the hand thats feeding her too much. But I will tinker around with portions, and run her around as much as I can - we are down south so lots of water too!

[Yorkiemom1]

I adore banannas myself, but just explain to her, like my mother did to me!, that they feed banannas to boxers and weight lifters to pile pounds on rapidly!!!! So, I seldom ever have a bananna, and I can honestly say I would gladly pay $10.00 for one!!!! I like the idea of some few veggies as between meal snacks...cucumber bits are really enjoyed here, especially frozen pieces in summer.....keeping in mind the calories of anything that passes babys lips! If adjusting the feeding times during the day, and changing up on the snacks to mostly veggies, as a last resort, I would maybe give consideration to cutting down on the amount of the morning RC a tad......

[ironmike86]

Veggies usually always have less calories then fruit. And usually anyone ppl ect can eat as much as they want. A little banana wont hurt. Just exercise and no junk foods like at all= fries chips ect. If ppl ate well they would be over weight either. All the convenience foods and fast food is whats killing the American diets. Mine eat fress food outta the garden. Not by choice they sneak it.

[buddybear]

Buddybear loves fresh carrots and lettuce. He will try cucumber, etc but then spits the second bite out. A lot depends on his mood of the day. He gets bored easily..... He likes variety. No weight problem with him but I'm another story.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by ironmike86

Veggies usually always have less calories then fruit. And usually anyone ppl ect can eat as much as they want. A little banana wont hurt. Just exercise and no junk foods like at all= fries chips ect. If ppl ate well they would be over weight either. All the convenience foods and fast food is whats killing the American diets. Mine eat fress food outta the garden. Not by choice they sneak it.

I could not disagree more. Junk food and candy are not allowed in this house of mine....we very seldom (no more than 4 times a year!) enjoy any fast food or junk food. I eat fresh veggies, very little meat, and some fruit.....keeping a diary daily validated my claim to my docs and allowed the doctors to pursue other reasons for weight problem. I would strongly advise ANYONE that sincerely believes they have a medical issue that is causing their issue with weight, to keep a detailed food diary, getting everything that passes your lips on paper. If you are just over eating or eating calorie laden junk food, it will become evident with a food diary. It is a total cop out to assume every overweight person has no regard for proper nutrition and lives on junk food and garbage. There really are people with metabolic issues as well as medical issues, that contribute to weight gain........not every overweight person you encounter is a junk food addict.....your simple summary of what could be a complex medical issue ("if people ate well, they would not be overweight either") is a disdainfully simplistic and possibly incorrect summation of what could be a complex medical issue.

[ironmike86]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

I could not disagree more. Junk food and candy are not allowed in this house of mine....we very seldom (no more than 4 times a year!) enjoy any fast food or junk food. I eat fresh veggies, very little meat, and some fruit.....keeping a diary daily validated my claim to my docs and allowed the doctors to pursue other reasons for weight problem. I would strongly advise ANYONE that sincerely believes they have a medical issue that is causing their issue with weight, to keep a detailed food diary, getting everything that passes your lips on paper. If you are just over eating or eating calorie laden junk food, it will become evident with a food diary. It is a total cop out to assume every overweight person has no regard for proper nutrition and lives on junk food and garbage. There really are people with metabolic issues as well as medical issues, that contribute to weight gain........not every overweight person you encounter is a junk food addict.....your simple summary of what could be a complex medical issue ("if people ate well, they would not be overweight either") is a disdainfully simplistic and possibly incorrect summation of what could be a complex medical issue.

I disagree also. Most ppl do over eat. And eat the wrong foods. Veggies is the only thing you can eat all you want. Americans health prove the theory already. I can go down the street and most ppl with be over weight. In my day there was only one heavy kid in class. Now seems to be only one thin one. If that many ppl have complex medical issues..then there a problem. Doubt it. Nobody is active anymore. I get all the Young men come to work. They are all lazy. PPL ime arent physical anymore. I see it. No kids playing nothing. Yeah they can blame it on metabolism. Thats a cop out imo.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by MaggieMaysMommy

I am WAY late posting this overhead shot of Maggie, and I am not sure if anyone is still following this post, but I will attach just incase. She has a summer cut right now so this is pretty accurate, though not as good as if I took it when she's wet from a bath. Anyways, you can see a bit of a curve in at the hinds, but you can't really feel ribs, she's definitely gotten "thicker" gaining two pounds. We have a vet app this week for annual shots, so I am going to ask about her weight again.

IMO she's a bit heavy! Not by a ton, but could probably lose a pound 1/2 or 2.

PS how old is she? After 1 year old, she shouldn't be getting yearly shots (unless you're doing something like lepto, etc).