Weight gain from Nature's Balance?

I work 45-65 hours, per week. Both jobs are 30 minutes from home, and I come home in between, so add an hour, per day, per job to that. My two dogs are crated and rotated, right now, because they cannot be in the same room without the instigator attacking the good dog. They each get at LEAST an hour every day. I try for more, but sometimes it just isn't possible.

 
 
That's great that you're able to get home inbetween jobs for the dogs. Bogey's got the run of the house while we're gone for the day. And by pillows being knocked off the beds, the couches, etc. I know she's gone up and down stairs a couple times - from the basement to the main floor to the upstairs and back down to the basement again.  And like I said earlier, my husband comes home at lunch (most often) and lets her out and she runs around a little.  So, all it all, she's getting some exercise every day.  And I"m o.k. with that and I love her to death !

I have a very busy schedule and it's often hard for me to give Zoe the excercise she needs.  I have a dog walker come twice a week and Zoe goes to doggie daycare two days a week.  I have to make sure Zoe gets enough excercise because her breed is very prone to obesity resulting in back problems.  And she loooooves to eat!  She's now nice and trim and I want her to stay this way.  The exercise is just as important for your dog as it is for you, the kind of exerscise that gets the heart rate up for at least 30 minutes.  I think one of the major problems with obesity in this country for people AND dogs is our sedentary lifestyle.

And I"m o.k. with that and I love her to death !

Of course you do!  I never doubted that for one second.  []
 
I was more addressing Edie because it seemed like she or he was sounding a little judgemental and also generalizing.  I wasn't judging you at all, just saying how that two hour a day exercise thing wouldn't be necessary for all dogs. 

And, I'm REALLY glad you did bring this up because I'm feeding Willow the same food.  And, I will keep an eye out for similar weight issues now that I'm aware they are a possibility. 

[]
Edited to say---I just thought of these two GSD's that I watch.  They are really bad on a leash and sort of aggressive to people they don't know and also animals.  So, I'm not required to walk them when I sit for them.  But, they do play ball in the yard.  But, the thing I wanted to mention was like you said they climb the stairs and when it rains I throw the ball up the stairs to them and they chase after it.  They get really out of breath doing that.
 
 

I statted my dog on NB fish and sweet potato because he was having itchy skin problems and he bloated up to 18lbs from 16lbs  ( hes a shih tzu) I only fed him 1/3 cup twice a day and we walk at least a 1/2 hour per day and play alot ! Hes only 2yrs so hes very active I do feel that the NB put weight on him for some reason, he was on Innova previously and had no probs with weight gain. I switched him off again to CN lamb and rice which is okay for him.  I dont know why he gained weight on this food but he did even though the amount fed and excersise levels stayed the same.

I was more addressing Edie because it seemed like she or he was sounding a little judgemental and also generalizing. I wasn't judging you at all, just saying how that two hour a day exercise thing wouldn't be necessary for all dogs.

And, I'm REALLY glad you did bring this up because I'm feeding Willow the same food. And, I will keep an eye out for similar weight issues now that I'm aware they are a possibility.

 
 
Thanks Willow. I didn't mind anything YOU said here and I know YOU weren't judging me.  I thought the same thing about Edie and I was feeling like she was shaking her finger at me telling me that what I'm doing is wrong. I know Bogey should get more exercise and I know it's bad for her health, I know that more calories going in than exercising off will cause weight gain, etc., etc., etc.  As a matter of fact Bogey and I went for a 30 min. walk - and I hope no one tells me that it wasn't long enough. I am keeping a sharp eye on Bogey and now we're feeding her less and carrots and veggies instead of other treats.  And now that we know what she's allergic to, she's not getting as much "extras" from the table - and, Edie, I know she shouldn't be getting table scraps, too!   But, if the weight keeps adding up, we'll switch foods.
 
Thanks, Willow for your kind words.
-Jenny
 

he was on Innova previously and had no probs with weight gain. I switched him off again to CN lamb and rice which is okay for him. I dont know why he gained weight on this food but he did even though the amount fed and excersise levels stayed the same.

 
  That's pretty interesting since Innova is 557 calories a cup and NB fish is 390. Maybe it's because Natural Balance has a carb ( sweet potato) as the first ingredient and Innova has meat as the first ingredient. When Jessie needed to lose weight I tried 2 different lite foods, both with a grain as the first ingredient. She was on lite food for well over a year and even though I fed her less than the recommended amount she didn't lose weight. Finally I changed her to Eagle Pack Duck, which is 40% duck meal, and fed her a little less than recommended and she eventually lost ten pounds.

Hmmm, that's really interesting about NB fish & sweet potato and weight gain. My guess would be that it's because sweet potatoes (carbs) are the first ingredient. I've actually been considering adding this food to my rotation, but I've been wondering just how fishy it smells?

As a matter of fact Bogey and I went for a 30 min. walk - and I hope no one tells me that it wasn't long enough.

If it's 30 minutes more than he usually gets than thats a great thing [sm=wink2.gif] If you took him out in the mornings so you both can get your exercise i bet the weight will drop off,and you wont have to reduce his food so much,which is a good thing for him []

and, Edie, I know she shouldn't be getting table scraps, too!

On the contrary [] Healthy table scraps are a healthier option than kibble IMHO.When people talk about giving 'table scraps' they automatically think fatty meat off cuts slathered in gravy and high salt sugar foods,which doesnt and shouldnt have to be the case.My guys get our table scraps most nights which could consist of veggies,steak,grilled chicken,pasta,rice,fruit salad etc etc

As for the exercise,this is something i cant change my stance on,ALL dogs be it chihuahaua's to great danes,fat or skinny dogs  should get at least one opportunity per day to get out and about in an environment other than their backyard. I cant always make 2 walks a day,but i make sure and haul my tired arse off the couch,no matter how much i dont feel like going at least so they can get out once.Both me and them feel so much better afterward,and then i dont have to put up with the sorrowful "take us out" looks they are so adept at whilst pacing at the front door [8|] Keep in mind my dogs arent really zoom around the backyard types,they may chase after a ball once or twice and then they get bored,so exercise in our yard is pretty much out!

Hmmm, that's really interesting about NB fish & sweet potato and weight gain. My guess would be that it's because sweet potatoes (carbs) are the first ingredient. I've actually been considering adding this food to my rotation, but I've been wondering just how fishy it smells?

 
It's pretty fishy. When we open the canister to feed her you can smell it, but as soon as you put the lid back on, the smell's gone.  So, it doesn't stick around.  Except, I wash her food bowl as soon as she's done eating. I mix a teenie-tiny bit of the same canned just to give it a taste for her and it sticks to the bowl.  But, she loves the stuff.

On the contrary Healthy table scraps are a healthier option than kibble IMHO.When people talk about giving 'table scraps' they automatically think fatty meat off cuts slathered in gravy and high salt sugar foods,which doesnt and shouldnt have to be the case.My guys get our table scraps most nights which could consist of veggies,steak,grilled chicken,pasta,rice,fruit salad etc etc

 
yeah, that's what our table scraps consist of, too.  30 min. was about all she could handle today.  I'll try to increase it little by little.  Daily is not possible with my schedule, butI will try to improve on while we are doing with her right now.

ORIGINAL: Luvntzus

Hmmm, that's really interesting about NB fish & sweet potato and weight gain. My guess would be that it's because sweet potatoes (carbs) are the first ingredient. I've actually been considering adding this food to my rotation, but I've been wondering just how fishy it smells?

Doesn't smell fishy to me....

Okay, lol one vote for fishy and one for not very fishy! [] I was just wondering since Gingerbread doesn't seem too crazy about fish, but he does love sweet potatoes. I'll probably just see if I can get a sample. Anyway, not trying to hijack the thread!

Tamara--It has a fishy/sweet smell, kind of an odd smell.  But, not a real strong fish odor that's going to make you sick.  In fact, you can really only smell it if you put your face right to it.  But, if you were just to scoop it from bag or whatever container into the bowl you'd be fine. 

ORIGINAL: willowchow

Tamara--It has a fishy/sweet smell, kind of an odd smell.  But, not a real strong fish odor that's going to make you sick.  In fact, you can really only smell it if you put your face right to it.  But, if you were just to scoop it from bag or whatever container into the bowl you'd be fine. 

I haven't stuck my head in the bag yet  []

Lol, thanks guys. []