Dog Community

Overweight dog

Posted : 6/17/2006 11:09:16 AM

I am currently feeding my chihuahua Natural Balance Duck and Potato formula. I am feeding the reccomended amount, but he is still overweight. He isn't very active, but I was wondering if just increasing his activity would help him lose weight or will his food need to be affected also? How long per day would he need to get out and run around/go for walks to successfully take off the weight?

He is normally a really big chihuahua anyway-- healthy at about 7-8lbs.. but I'd guess he is about 10lbs right now and I am really feeling bad about it.

Also, any idea how long it will take? Tips? TIA! [

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Melissa Camiel

Posted : 6/17/2006 11:43:01 AM

I've heard that a lot of dogs gain weight on N.B. Duck and potatoe. Not sure why; maybe too much potato? Or maybe duck has a lot of fat in it. Does your chihuaha have to be on that diet? The only reason I can think of to be on that diet is if he has food allergies. If not, them maybe switch to a different brand with more protein. You could try Solid Gold, Innova EVO, Timberwolf Organics, Natures Variety, etc.
Of course, increasing his exercise will also help. If he is not use to exercise, start him out slow. Try a few short walks a day. And playing fetch is also great. I'm not sure how long it will take for the weight to come off, but with my dog she can lose it pretty fast.
But I think this is probably diet related, so I'd try that first.

Oh yeah, almost forgot:
WELCOME TO IDOG!!

dvet

Posted : 6/17/2006 12:18:12 PM

no matter how you slice it, it is calories in vrs. calories out..so ask you vet, if he.she has it for the caloric requirments for your dog and then firgues the calories going in,...going in should be less than goin out even if it matters the difference...it works and no matter what diet is used it has to be less in than tha mount out

pumaward

Posted : 6/17/2006 4:41:16 PM

I think an increase in activity can only be beneficial. If anything, his inactivity may be the route of all his problems.
How much are you feeding vs. how much the bag recommends?

shamrockmommy

Posted : 6/17/2006 4:46:04 PM

I don't feed NB but I have teh same issue wiht 2 of my 3 dogs gaining weight on teh recommended amount of food. I have cut the serving size nearly in half because they're couch potatoes and they are maintaining nicely.

Donnie Starr

Posted : 6/17/2006 6:06:03 PM

Duck is a fat meat compared to chicken, lamb or even beef. Potatoes are bad as they have TONS of starch which is bad for any dog. I would definetly go raw but not everyone can or is willing to and that's understandable. You could try a lamb or chicken food, if you don't want to switch simply give the dog a little less per serving.

You can also give the dog a canine enyzyme which would help it digest properly and thus require less food in the long run. Would probably help with the weight problem. And get that Chihuahua to a dog park! lol

Donnie

Chelsae

Posted : 6/17/2006 7:47:16 PM

Thanks for the replies! I am going to cut his food down (he was getting what the bag said, but it is obviously too much) and I am going to get his little butt active again! Maybe it will strengthen our bond again and get him excited to be w/ everyone.

I will update the progress on my other name-- Chichelsae. I lost the password to the account so created this one, but I'll be using that one again soon.

Chelsae

Posted : 6/17/2006 7:48:53 PM

He is REALLY picky (and my family and I made him that way), but he loves the NB D&

. I've tried Canidae and he wasn't a huge fan (he was thinner though from not eating lol). I'll just cut down his portions.

I weighed him today at a whopping 11lbs. Eeek. So our goal is 3-4lbs of weight loss!

sakura

Posted : 6/18/2006 12:50:18 AM

Unlike a lot of the other grain free foods, I'm pretty sure that Natural Balance Potato and Duck has a higher carb level. Thus, you'll definitely have to cut down the portions and increase the exercise.

Don't worry, it can be done! One of the dogs was on Solid Gold's Barking at the Moon and just lost 7.5 lbs over seven months, even after being spayed. [

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cindy w.

Posted : 6/18/2006 9:15:46 AM

My dogs are on natural balance but I feed much less than the bag says and mine are doing very well on it.

Jordan Philpott

Posted : 6/18/2006 2:16:02 PM

Natural Balance Duck&

otato causes alot of dogs to gain weight. Before my dog was switched to raw, we tried that food, and she gainedalot of weight (which was good, it was hard to get her to put on weight).

I would increase his exercise. Try throwing a ball for him in the yard for a half hour everyday.

papillon806

Posted : 6/18/2006 3:32:18 PM

I never feed the recommended amounts on the bag....I think they are too high anyways. Go to this site: [linkhttp://www.mycockerspaniel.com/mer.htm]http://www.mycockerspaniel.com/mer.htm[/link] and fill in your dogs weight at the top....then you can go to the link at the bottom of the chart and find how many kcals a day your dog needs. Hope this helps! [

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tamrenee

Posted : 6/20/2006 2:23:44 PM

Wellness Weight management worked wonders for my dog. She lost 11 lbs on that food. Feeding by what the bag says is not good. The best results is giving the Kcal to your vet and let them tell you how many kilocals or amount of food the dogshould eat a day.