Dog Community

Finally Gained Weight - Now What?

probe1957

Posted : 8/21/2006 11:29:10 AM

We adoped Odie a little over a year ago. We took him in for a vet check right away. The vet said she would like to see him gain about 5 pounds. I think, at that time, he weighed 63 pounds.

Odie has never been much of an eater. He can take it or leave it. It doesn't matter to him. We had trouble getting him to gain weight because of that. At that time, in my food rotation was Timberwolf Organics, Canadae and Evo. After 6 months, he really hadn't gained any weight. I should mention that I culled out the Evo right away because he just wouldn't eat it at all, so really, our rotation was Canadae and TWO. I would feed him 3 cups a day, 1 in the AM, with a little yogurt, and 2 cups in the evening.

Fast forward to 6 months ago. I saw, in one of the local farm stores, a canned food called Evanger's. They have several varities and it looked good. I think I even asked about it here and the concensus was it is a good food. Anyway, I started feeding it. He really likes all of the flavors except for the mackrel. I don't blame him there because it stinks to high heaven.

So for the past 6 months, I have been feeding him a cup of kibble in the AM. In the evening, I substituted a cup of kibble for the Evangers, so in the evening he would get a cup of kibble and a can of Evangers.

I am happy with where his weight is, FINALLY, but I am concerned that if I continue to feed him the same amount, he will continue to gain weight. I don't want that. Am I right about that? And, if I am right about that, what do I do now? Should I cut out his cup of kibble at breakfast, thereby reducing his intake by about 1/3? Should I feed him 1/2 cup in the AM, 1/2 cup and the Evangers in the PM, again reducing his intake by about 1/3?

Advice, please.

dogslyfe

Posted : 8/21/2006 12:05:45 PM

I dunno Billy, a total reduction of 1/3 seems kinda steep to me. I would start backing off by maybe 1/8 to 1/4 to begin with and see where that puts you. If your dog is a hard keeper cutting too much back will be difficult on him.

That's what I would do, anyway, about 1/8 to 1/4 cut back - for starters.

probe1957

Posted : 8/21/2006 12:39:23 PM

That's the kind of thing I need to know. I really have no idea how much to cut back. Thanks.

Do you agree then that if I don't cut back SOME he is going to continue to gain weight? Is my thinking right on that?

dogslyfe

Posted : 8/21/2006 1:16:15 PM

Probably so. Typically when one of my dogs needs to gain weight I will up their food by about 1/4 to 1/2 CUP if I'm using kibble. When they get to desired weight I'll back off 1/4 cup. That's why its hard to advise since you're using canned and kibble - but 1/3 total qty seems to be a lot to me. Even 1/4 seems a lot. That would be, what, 1/2 cup kibble less, plus 1/4 can less? Roughly?

You can try and see what happens though. He will probably gain up to a point... up to the point that the current amt is sustaining his current body mass.

Maybe some of the more experienced ones will weigh in. When I had to put some mass on June it took up to 3 cups of kibble daily for her to gain. She was then backed down to between 2-1/4 to 2-1/2. So, I guess part of it would be finding out JUST how much is extra.

kennel_keeper

Posted : 8/21/2006 6:38:19 PM

Billy,
If you like to PM me, I can send you the formula for figuring kcal requirements. It does include factors for "body building", so that might give you a hint at what you've been feeding (kcal wise) and what is required to maintain.
I would post here, but it's somewhat complicated, but will allow you properly figure your dogs energy requirement and intake necessary to meet the requirements.

probe1957

Posted : 8/22/2006 8:38:00 AM

Consider yourself pm'd. I hope it was as good for you as it was for me. [

]

Luvntzus

Posted : 8/22/2006 8:42:29 AM

ORIGINAL: probe1957

Consider yourself pm'd. I hope it was as good for you as it was for me. []

LOL! [

]

kennel_keeper

Posted : 8/22/2006 9:25:41 AM

It was FANTASTIC!!!! [sm=rotfl.gif]

willowchow

Posted : 8/22/2006 9:31:12 AM

I'm in the same boat with Willow right now. She's at her ideal weight and I don't want her to gain anymore either. Funny, she's also getting Evanger's.

What I'm doing is I slightly cut back and we are walking early am and later at night. I'm going to re-weigh her in about a month and see where things are at.

probe1957

Posted : 8/22/2006 11:03:52 AM

Lori, I am certain it was the Evangers that put the weight on Odie. He certainly wasn't gaining any weight on the kibble. Some of that Evanger's looks good enough for me to eat. Odie really likes the whole chicken thighs or the beef chunk.

probe1957

Posted : 8/22/2006 11:06:05 AM

ORIGINAL: kennel_keeper

It was FANTASTIC!!!! [sm=rotfl.gif]

A phrase that has NEVER been uttered, to describe ANYTHING I have done, in ANY capacity whatsoever, EVER. Before now. [

]

willowchow

Posted : 8/22/2006 11:09:13 AM

Billy, have your tried Hunk of Beef?? Willow loooves it and I've got to label it so DH doesn't think I made a pot roast.

kennel_keeper

Posted : 8/22/2006 11:23:26 AM

ORIGINAL: probe1957

ORIGINAL: kennel_keeper

It was FANTASTIC!!!! [sm=rotfl.gif]

A phrase that has NEVER been uttered, to describe ANYTHING I have done, in ANY capacity whatsoever, EVER. Before now. []

Guess there is a "first time" for every thing [

]

probe1957

Posted : 8/22/2006 11:35:21 AM

ORIGINAL: willowchow

Billy, have your tried Hunk of Beef?? Willow loooves it and I've got to label it so DH doesn't think I made a pot roast.

Yes, that is what I meant. Odie loves it too. I think DH could warm it up, put a bit of salt and pepper on it and make himself a fine meal. I wouldn't label it. Just let the chips fall where they may. [

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