Dog Community

Weight gain/loss

Posted : 7/30/2008 4:45:21 PM

I weighed Maze 3 months ago and she weighed in at 47lbs. I could still feel her ribs and she had a nice tummy band.

Well today on our walk, we passed the vet's so for fun I figured I'd weigh her again. Today she weighed in at 41lbs. The only thing I can figure that caused the weight loss is I increased her activity level and decreased the amount of food she gets in a day. Since I've switched brands to a better food, she, by choice, isn't eating half as much as she was. I'm not concerned with the loss since it was gradual over a few months but I'm just curious if she's still looks healthy. She does to me but I see her every day so I didn't notice the change.

3 months ago:

10 Minutes ago (note the healing patch on her thigh Big Smile ):

So what do you think? Does she look right to you guys. She does have skin flaps on each side of her thighs so her tummy band doesn't look right from the sides but when you reach around, her tummy tucks up to her waist. Kinda hard to describe..

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/30/2008 7:55:33 PM

She looks good! I tend to like my dogs a little thin. Emma has a super dense coat (it lies flat, but there's a LOT of it!), and I noticed tonight that I can see her ribs from above. I like that. Ena has no hair, and I can always see her ribs, LOL. Coat makes a big difference in the look of the dog... but Maze looks like she's getting lots of exersize. She looks lean and well muscled.

oranges81

Posted : 7/30/2008 8:12:15 PM

Phew! Thank goodness! Looking closer at the pictures, I can tell now that she was a bit chubby. Lol. She's been getting more exercise since I changed my exercise plan to include her more. I never realized how shiny she is until the flash on the camera reflected off her coat. Lol.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/30/2008 8:21:35 PM

I wouldn't want her much thinner, especially if she tends to be a tough keeper, but that's an atheletic looking dog Smile And extremely shiny! She really looks nice... If you have a tough time keeping the weight ON with her new routine, you could add a few extra carbs. Baked sweet potato works well, for extra carbs. I'm rotating them out, for my skinny puppy. She gets baked sweet potato, or oatmeal, or white rice (which is empty, useless, fattening carbs, and extremely digestible! YUM!).

oranges81

Posted : 7/30/2008 8:40:13 PM

I have had problems keep the weight on her last year. It looked like I was starving her. Lol. Hmm. I'll have to pick up some sweet potato just in case. I just started her on Cal. Nat. Herring and Sweet potato due to her allergies but I love what it's doing to her coat. It's growing in thicker and, obviously, shinier. It's just a bit greasy. I don't know if thats her natural oils or what yet.

It makes me feel that much better knowing that she's healthy(FINALLY) Lol. I'm in the process of buying a bike so I can run her more often instead of just daily long walks. Smile

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/30/2008 8:46:33 PM

If her coat stays oily, I'd assume that her skin is dry. You can add some fish oil and vit e, if she isn't already on a coat supplement, and that should clear it up.

oranges81

Posted : 7/30/2008 8:49:13 PM

She isn't on one yet but I was planning on adding it in the future. I may buy it sooner then cuz I am seeing a bit of dandruff. Not much yet and it's more noticeable after a walk. If that makes any sense at all.